The UK government’s landmark £500 million investment in a Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care workers is moving closer to becoming reality, with secondary legislation expected this autumn. For the millions of older and disabled people who rely on care workers to remain safely in their homes, the changes could have a significant impact on the quality and consistency of the support they receive.
Here is what the Fair Pay Agreement involves, why it matters, and what it could mean for anyone considering home adaptations such as stairlifts or other mobility solutions.
Why Care Worker Pay Is in the Spotlight
Adult social care in England has faced a persistent recruitment and retention crisis. According to Skills for Care, staff turnover stood at 24% in 2024/25, with around 111,000 vacancies across the sector. The root cause is widely acknowledged to be low pay: most care workers earn at or near the National Living Wage, regardless of their experience, qualifications, or length of service.
This matters directly to people who depend on home care. High staff turnover means less continuity of care, with different workers visiting each week who may not be familiar with a person’s home setup, mobility limitations, or personal preferences. For someone recovering from a fall or adjusting to new mobility equipment, that consistency can make a real difference to safety and confidence.
What the Fair Pay Agreement Will Do
The Fair Pay Agreement introduces sector-wide collective bargaining in adult social care for the first time. A new Adult Social Care Negotiating Body, bringing together trade unions and employer representatives, will negotiate legally binding minimum standards for pay, terms and conditions.
The timeline is as follows: secondary legislation to establish the negotiating body is expected in October 2026, negotiations will take place through 2027, and the first agreement is due to take effect in April 2028. Once in force, the agreed terms will apply to all care workers covered by the agreement, whether or not they are trade union members.
The £500 million funding is drawn from a broader increase of over £4 billion in additional funding for adult social care by 2028/29, announced as part of the government’s Spending Review.
The Connection to Home Adaptations and Stairlifts
Alongside the Fair Pay Agreement announcement, the government confirmed an increase in the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to fund 15,000 more home adaptations across England. The DFG is the primary route through which local councils fund stairlifts, level-access showers, ramps, and other modifications that help people remain in their own homes.
These two policies are closely linked. A well-supported care workforce and properly adapted homes are both essential parts of enabling people to age safely and independently. Care workers who visit homes with stairlifts, grab rails, and accessible bathrooms can focus on providing personal care rather than managing avoidable risks. Conversely, even the best home adaptations are less effective without reliable, knowledgeable care support to help someone use them confidently.
Will the Funding Be Enough?
While the Fair Pay Agreement has been broadly welcomed across the sector, questions remain about whether the £500 million allocation will deliver meaningful change. Analysis from the Health Foundation suggests the funding could translate to a pay increase of roughly 20p per hour for most care workers, well below what many campaigners and industry bodies consider necessary.
The Resolution Foundation and Nuffield Trust have both highlighted the risk that, without adequate funding, local authorities could face difficult choices between meeting new pay obligations and maintaining other services. Care providers, many of whom already operate on thin margins, may struggle to absorb higher costs without additional support.
The Baroness Casey Commission, which is developing plans for a National Care Service, is expected to publish its initial report later this year. Its recommendations on long-term funding could prove critical in determining whether the Fair Pay Agreement achieves its full potential.
What This Means for Families Considering Home Adaptations
For families exploring options such as stairlifts, walk-in baths, or other home modifications, these developments are worth keeping in mind. The increased DFG funding should make it easier for eligible households to access financial support for adaptations. Meanwhile, improvements to care worker pay and conditions, while gradual, should contribute to a more stable and experienced workforce over time.
If you or a family member is considering a stairlift, it is worth speaking to your local council about a needs assessment, which is typically carried out by an occupational therapist. This assessment can determine eligibility for a DFG and help identify which adaptations would be most beneficial. You can find more information in our stairlift buying guide.
The combination of better-funded home adaptations and a more fairly paid care workforce represents a meaningful step towards supporting people to live independently for longer, something that benefits not only the individuals involved but also the wider health and social care system.
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