Councillors of all political groups backed an emergency motion at the full Council which recognised the vital work done by carers and called for the speedy resolution of a job evaluation process for their roles.

Council Leader Joe Fagan said: “It is not for politicians to interfere in the evaluation. But equally we cannot be silent. This is a workforce on the front line of the winter crisis in the health and social care system. This is a workforce we applauded as key workers and rely on to give care and nourishment and dignity to the most vulnerable in society.

“Society must value the care workforce more. Society must invest in the care workforce more. And we must give those employing these key workers, these public servants, the resources we need to do so.”

The emergency motion was brought after the initial part of the job evaluation process determined that the current grading for home carers was accurate. There is an appeals process, that trade unions helped put in place, and the motion said this should commence as soon as this was triggered by the unions.

Kay McVeigh, Head of Personnel Services, said: “We hugely value the work undertaken by all of our staff and that is why we are committed to offering good terms and conditions. Most recently, the council administration’s New Deal for Employees brought forward a range of new initiatives and benefits, including an extra day’s wellbeing leave this year.”

Councillor Fagan’s motion, which was passed unanimously, noted trade union concern about the recent job evaluation outcome. It also noted the need for further action to ensure “care must be valued more by society as a whole” and called for a future report that would advise on the outcome of the appeal process and outline further steps to support the home care workforce.