'They deserve more': Yorkshire care home boss gives staff 20 per cent pay boost

Care home staff in two Sheffield homes will receive a pay boost

More than 60 staff at Rosebank and Leahyrst care homes, which specialise in dementia care, are being given the pay bump with immediate effect, ensuring they are paid £10 an hour over the next month.

The increase is coming directly from the pocket of Roy Young, the boss of Silver Healthcare, which runs the care homes.

Mr Young said: "There has been a great deal in the news pledging support for the great work of NHS staff. People often forget the army of dedicated care staff that work in care homes like mine.

Roy Young brought staff pay up to 10 an hour

“They're turning up every day to protect and care for the most vulnerable people in society and the majority are on minimum wage. They continue to come into work whilst the rest of the country stays indoors to protect themselves from coronavirus. They are under great stress, they do a brilliant job and they deserve more."

Inadequate Local Government funding together with the chronic shortage of qualified staff forced him to shut the company’s biggest home - Fulwood Lodge - in November last year, after over 20 years of service.

Mr Young said he was still determined to give a boost to staff working in challenging circumstances despite the continuation of inadequate funding in the sector.

The wage increase will be reviewed again in a month’s time.

Mr Young added: "I've worked in care over three decades and the situation was already incredibly challenging. If any good comes out of the present situation it will be to realise the vital importance of care staff that do an amazing job for very little reward."