Grandstand. The situation of establishments, services, reception, care, for the elderly, for people with disabilities, in precarious or homeless situations, in difficulty with addictions, child protection, is in imminent danger! With a risk as to the quality of support for the people entrusted or followed.
In question ? The loss of attractiveness of the social and medico-social professions. Feedback from associations shows a shortage of 10% to 15% of employees (30% to 40% in certain structures, excluding palliative emergency solutions), according to data compiled by member associations of the National Interfederal Union of private health and social works and organizations. Nearly 64,000 positions are currently vacant, according to the interministerial delegation for accommodation and access to housing (Dihal).
Who can accept that his children, his parents, his elders, his friends are treated like this? Who has not measured the importance and the value of this work by having taken care of a vulnerable child, a person with a loss of autonomy, with a disability, exclusion or suffering from sickness ? The public authorities sometimes underline the importance of these social workers, but without ever linking it to a salary increase.
Retain staff
How to attract young people to these professions whose social and solidarity character interests them but who renounce, in view of the wages offered, the constraints in terms of pace of work or the impossibility of housing? Social workers, educators, social workers, nurses, home helpers, socio-educational facilitators, childcare workers, medical-educational assistants, social and family education advisers, young children’s educators, peer workers… so many noble professions at the service of others, especially the most vulnerable.
Today, the first priority is to keep the staff on duty. The health crisis represented an accelerator of departures, amplified by the lack of recognition, despite the remarkable commitment of all these people during the pandemic, without protection, without support, and favoring the maintenance of social ties over the health risks incurred.
No salary enhancement, for some, not even a Covid bonus… Salary aspects have always been either concealed, deferred or reserved for caregivers, for whom it was obviously indisputable and essential. It is inconceivable not to extend these upgrades to social professions, essential for the respect and dignity due to all human beings.
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