Employers should be aware that a group of 60 foster care workers have voted to establish a trade union.

This will create the first ever trade union for the profession.

One of the key reasons why the carers are keen to set up a union is to address their widespread concern about their lack of employment status and employment rights. Foster carers are not considered to be employees or workers. As such, they do not enjoy the same rights provided to employees, such as holiday pay, sick pay or pension rights.

Local authorities and private agencies who employ foster care workers should follow developments over the next months to see how the trade union progresses and what action they decide to take.