NI: Department of Health backtrack on funding to enable social care to become a Real Living Wage employer
DATE 17 November 2025
Mike Nesbitt, Minister of Health, NI announced this week that he would be breaking his previous commitment to provide sufficient funding for the Social Care sector to pay care workers the Real Living Wage.
Commenting on the announcement, our Chief Executive, Dr Agnes Lunny (OBE) said “This decision undermines trust and morale across the social care workforce. Our staff deserve recognition for their vital role, not broken promises.”
Positive Futures is a member of the Association for Real Change (ARC), a body representing the care sector providers, which has 59 members and was heavily involved in the co-ordinated response to Minister Nesbitt.
ARC has expressed their severe disappointment with this decision impacting significantly the community and voluntary and private sector providers and demanded the minister rethink this decision.
I refer to the recent communication confirming your decision to postpone funding that would enable the social care sector to become a Real Living Wage employer.
Breaking the commitment outlined in the Reset Plan (June 2025) and prioritising statutory sector pay is extremely short-sighted and detrimental to a workforce already under significant strain. Expressing our disappointment does not go far enough.
Restoring pay parity for health service staff at the expense of this pledge has left independent, community and voluntary providers (non-statutory employers), facing difficult conversations with dedicated staff who were expecting the increase from September, based on departmental assurances and public messaging. Without pay equity, non-statutory social care providers cannot compete for talent, particularly in the post-COVID environment.
There are 41,825 social care workers in Northern Ireland according to the NISCC register; of whom 32,519 are employed in the independent, community and voluntary sector – hence directly impacted by this decision. This sector is vital to the health service ecosystem in Northern Ireland and yet attracting or retaining skilled staff is increasingly challenging without a Real Living Wage – it is the elephant in the room.
ARC NI represents 59 service providers of social care; the services they offer are diverse and critical to allow individuals to lead a full and meaningful life.
Your decision does not just affect homecare workers or the “winter pressures”. These are important; however, the demand is much broader than that. For example, the second-largest group of social care workers (14.34%) are employed in services for adults with a learning disability spanning several service areas, including long term support (1).
For over a decade ARC NI has provided evidence and highlighted workforce pressures experienced by the learning disability community, recently reinforced by research from the Fair Work Forum. This evidence speaks for itself, and I see no merit in re-stating this.
ARC NI has been an active partner, since inception, of the Social Care Collaborative Reform Board (as now known), the Social Care Fair Work Forum and indeed the Learning Disability Model reform. However, this decision significantly undermines trust at a time when stability, reform and cross-sector delivery is required.
All stakeholders acknowledge the critical interdependencies between primary, secondary and social care and yet the central role of the independent, community and voluntary sector continues to be undervalued.
Transparency on next steps is essential. Prioritising statutory pay has damaged relationships, sector morale and raised long standing questions around sustainability of the social care sector, delivered by independent, community and voluntary sector.
Why was the decision made to prioritise the funding of the statutory sector, knowing this risked the commitment that was made to independent, community and voluntary providers?
We are therefore urging you to reconsider the decision to make available the funds for this segment of the social care sector.
Yours Sincerely,
LA Newton NI Director
Association for Real Change
1. According to the NISCC Live Register Report (June 2025)
Head Office: ARC House, Marsden Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 1JY
‘MY FAMILY’S LIFE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH FOR THE BETTER WITH SUPPORT FROM POSITIVE FUTURES”
A woman whose son is supported by Positive Futures to live in his own home after 12 years in Muckamore Abbey has told the BBC that her family’s life has changed so much for the better as a result.
Dawn Jones, whose son Timothy now has his own bungalow near her home and lives with round-the-clock support, told the Good Morning Ulster programme on Radio Ulster that he had gone from “walking with his shoulders down and head bowed” to “walking upright” since he left hospital.
Timothy enjoys outings with his staff and eating his favourite McDonald’s meal in the local park. Recently, he has visited the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra.
To prepare for his move to the community, Positive Futures staff spent several months working alongside staff in the hospital to get to know Timothy.
Dawn said: “He looks happier, he looks more in control of his environment. He has changed so much. He’s non-verbal, but he’s starting to make some noises, which is promising.”
She added: “My life and the family’s life has changed so much for the better. “We’re all happy, we realise that Timothy is safe. He’s in a happy environment. Life is good now.”
Our Chief Executive, Agnes Lunny, told the programme: “Positive Futures has a genuine commitment to listening to people whose needs are a little bit different to the rest of ours.””This is not a miracle, this is not magic, this is the result of very hard work.” She added that anyone could be supported to live in the community with the right support from the right people.
The MAC, Belfast has won a charity award for providing a warm welcome for people with disabilities.
The Positive Futures Welcome Award celebrates organisations that go the extra mile in creating a supportive environment for people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autism, and their families.
Carers and people supported by our Family Matters Shared Lives Service have been attending the annual Christmas Show at the MAC for several years.
Julie McDowell, Service Manager for the Families Matter Shared Lives Service said: ‘The Carers, staff and family members attend the relaxed performance which is specially adapted to meet the needs of the people we support. Over the years and in particular last Christmas, the staff went above and beyond in accommodating all who attended. At our most recent visit people we support were so grateful for the warm welcome and excellent treatment they received. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, who showed respect and patience to everyone.’
Dr Agnes Lunny, our Chief Executive, said: “We believe it’s really important to recognise organisations who are inclusive, compassionate and demonstrate understanding, and the team at the MAC certainly live up to those ideals. We look forward to many more businesses and organisations receiving our Welcome Award in the near future.”
Lisa McGinley, Director of the MAC said “Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do at the MAC, so we’re really pleased to receive this award. It shows our commitment to making sure everyone feels welcome and valued when they visit us. We believe the arts should be for
everyone, and we’re proud to be recognised for the kindness and respect our team shows to all our visitors.”
At Positive Futures, we’re supporting the campaign by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) to encourage more people into social work.
So what does a social work career involve, and what are the rewards?
To find out, we asked Christine, a social worker in our Families Matter Shared Lives Service, which provides opportunities for carers to have a break from their caring responsibilities.
Why did she choose a life in social work?
“I wanted a career in which I could work with people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves on the margins of society, and make a positive difference in their lives,” she says. “My own personal values aligned with a lot of the values of social work, which really attracted me to it. I also liked the range of different work you could do, and the variety of opportunities social work training could open up.
“The rewards include great job satisfaction – some days you get to really help people by improving the quality of their lives by getting them the help or support they need. You get to meet a lot of amazing people and be let into their lives, and you often get a lot of appreciation from the people you support and their families.”
What qualities are needed to succeed?
“You need to be compassionate, patient, fair and empowering. You need to be able to communicate well with a range of different people and be able to speak up and advocate for people. Challenging social injustice and anti-oppressive practice are also important qualities, as is having emotional intelligence. “Also, you need practical qualities such being organised and proactive. Good time management is crucial, because there are often a lot of tasks to follow up on, within deadlines.”
Finally, what’s Christine’s advice to anyone thinking of a career in social work?
“If you are passionate about helping making people’s lives better and like a challenge, go for it. It’s not always the easiest role and sometimes you are presented with very complex situations, but it is a rewarding, dynamic career, with a lot of opportunities for growth and development.” Find out more here: https://niscc.info/interested-in-becoming-a-social-care-practitioner/
Health Minister Sees Social Care Need At First Hand
From left to right: Professor Bengoa, Susan, Frazer Curry, Minister Mike Nesbitt and Karan Spence (Service Manager, The Arches Family Support Service)
Positive Futures was delighted to welcome Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Prof Rafael Bengoa, who led a major review of health and social care in Northern Ireland, to one of its services in north Belfast, today.
Our Wheatfield Short Break Service offers residential short break support to allow families a break from their caring duties. The purpose-built facility can accommodate up to five people at any one time.
The Minister and Prof Bengoa met members of our staff, volunteers and carers and people supported by the Wheatfield Short Break Service, Families Matter Shared Lives Service and the Arches Family Support Service.
Minister Nesbitt said: “I am acutely aware of the very real challenges and difficulties faced by people with learning disabilities, families and carers and the vital role providers like Positive Futures play in supporting them to live fulfilling lives.
“Short Breaks are an important way that we support families and an area that we need to rapidly expand for children and adults. This will be achieved through collaborative work with the independent sector.”
Professor Bengoa said: “Engaging and supporting carers is a fundamental aspect of maintaining people within their own home and it is essential that the HSC continues to develop services in this area.”
Our Chief Executive Dr Agnes Lunny OBE said: “We hope this short glimpse at what we do will have given the Minister some pointers for his recently promised roadmap aimed, as he put it, at setting health and social care services on a clear path to recovery. We were delighted to welcome him together with Prof Bengoa, who, with his expert colleagues, recognised eight years ago that the system in Northern Ireland needed a radical transformation to make it fit for the future.
“We believe we have a major role to play in the future of social care in Northern Ireland, with our tailored support for individuals enabling people to live their best lives. We have shown repeatedly that we can provide high quality support and demonstrate better outcomes very cost-effectively. We were very pleased that both men heard directly from people and families we support. At the end of the day, theirs are the views that really count.”
At Positive Futures we take pride in the number of people that work for us who have progressed through the social care career pathways and realised their ambitions, many of whom are now in senior positions within the organisation.
We know It’s not for everyone and, we have plenty of dedicated staff who love providing support directly to people every day and that’s what they wish to continue doing but, for individuals who would like to pursue a career at a higher level in social care we try hard to enable people to achieve their dreams.
As part of the Social Care Council’s campaign focusing on careers in Social Care, Kerry Mallon, our Operations Director, Ireland, recently spoke on a podcast with Dr Wendy Austin. MBE recounting her own experience of ‘falling’ into the role of relief support worker as the start of a 20 year career which saw her appointed to the board of Positive Futures as Operations Director, Ireland in 2023.
Shauna Steps Out to Raise Money For Positive Futures
And she’s off! Shauna, who’s raising money for our Autism Outreach Service on a marathon 3-day walk with her friend Mairead, set out from our Enniskillen office on July 12. Chief Executive Agnes and Executive Director Paul joined them. Shauna’s husband Michael also lent his support. You can sponsor Shauna at https://www.justgiving.com/page/shauna-falconer-1719947989304.
Two country dance groups from Lisburn and Hillsborough have put a spring in our step with a £3,200 donation.
Boots’n’Buckles and Hillsborough Hoedowners raised the money through a number of events, including a monthly charity club night.
One regular attendee is David Brown, who we support. He and his Support Worker Beryl Hunter accepted the cheque on behalf of Positive Futures.
Our Chief Executive Agnes Lunny said: “I want to thank Boots’n’Buckles and Hillsborough Hoedowners for this fantastic fundraising effort which will go directly to supporting our children and families service in Lisburn, providing opportunities for children to engage in community activities and have fun and giving parents a much-needed break. I also want to congratulate Boots .n. Buckles and the Hillsborough Hoedowners for welcoming David to the group, ensuring that he feels very much a part of his local community.
Pictured are Beryl Hunter, David Brown, and Karan Spence from Positive Futures (centre) with Keith Armstrong and Shirley McWhinney (left) and Denise Armstrong (right) of Boots’n’Buckles and Hillsborough Hoedowners.
As the UN publicises its International Day of People with Disabilities, we’d like to share the story of Orlaith Jackson.
The UN event – on Dec 3 – is highlighting people’s access to work and the people who support them to find a job.
Orlaith, who’s 28, has recently started work with SuperValu near our NAHVI service in Dublin and is enjoying it very much. She originally had 12 weeks of work experience, but the supermarket had no jobs to offer at the end of it. However, they soon called her and offered a contract until the end of January 2023.
“I work Monday and Wednesday from 9am until 1pm,” says Orlaith. “I’ve had excellent support from SuperValu. If there’s something I’m not sure of, my colleagues are very helpful. I love it because I meet people and I’m making new friends.
“Having a job is important to me. I did a course in preparation for working in the retail industry, and it’s great to be able to put it into practice.”
Larry Morris, who supports Orlaith, said: “Orlaith, being the person she is, got on well at work from day one. She’s very sociable and is a great communicator. She’s perfect for the job because of her outgoing personality and social skills.”
NAHVI, in Donabate, was established in 2001 as a housing and support service for people with visual impairment and an intellectual disability. It currently supports 16 adults.
Positive Futures has provided governance and management oversight to NAHVI since 2018, with the service formally transferring to Positive Futures in August 2022. Dr Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive of Positive Futures, said: “Orlaith’s story is one of the many successes of the people supported by NAHVI. It’s been wonderful to witness people graduating from college, getting jobs, and making other personal achievements that have enabled them to play a full role in society.”
Fermanagh Fun Farm in Lisbellaw is the latest recipient of our Welcome Award for its inclusive attitude towards the young people we support.
Winners of the award are entitled to display a window sticker so that people with a learning disability know they will receive a warm welcome. Previous recipients include the BBC and Belfast International Airport.
Pauline O’Hagan, Manager of our Brighter Futures Project, said: “Fermanagh Fun Farm have been so warm and welcoming to the children who have visited with Positive Futures. The staff have made the children’s experiences memorable ones. Nothing was too much trouble. Staff thought of their every need and expectation and involved the children in all aspects of the farm visit.”
Alan Potters, Manager of the farm, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to win such an award. It recognises the work our team put in to welcome all visitors to the attraction and the support we put in place to make the experience as enjoyable for all.”
Fermanagh Fun Farm C.I.C is a non–profit social enterprise established in 2019 and run by a committee called Friends of the Farm. It is home to many adopted and rescued animals. It offers an active experience for all the family, including pet handling, pony walking and grooming and animal feeding. It also features a tearoom, gift shop, indoor/outdoor play area, quad and trailer ride and fun fair rides.
Dr Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive of Positive Futures, said: “Being welcomed and accepted makes a huge difference to the young people we support and their families. We like to reward organisations for inclusion, compassion and understanding, and Fermanagh Fun Farm certainly lives up to those ideals.”
