Social care professionals spend their working lives supporting others, but behind the care they provide, many are facing financial pressures of their own.
In March 2026, Care England highlighted a concerning reality for the sector: 32% of social care workers surveyed were cutting back on essential spending, while reducing stress was the number one career ambition for 41% of workers surveyed, ranking above financial advancement.
Read Care England’s research on financial and mental wellbeing.
The pressure is also reflected in government research. The Department of Health and Social Care’s July 2026 report on England’s adult social care workforce found that 56% of workers reported having no or insufficient financial security, while 69% felt the cost of living was too high.
Read the full government report.
Financial worries do not necessarily disappear when a shift ends. Concerns about household bills, food shopping and everyday expenses can add another layer of pressure to an already demanding role. Over time, this can make it harder for people to look after their own wellbeing.
Making everyday support go further
Supporting care professionals means recognising that financial and mental wellbeing are closely connected. Fair pay and sustainable working conditions remain essential, but practical benefits can also help employees manage some of the pressures they face outside work.
This is where Shoorah can contribute.
Through Shoorah Marketplace, employees can access everyday discounts, e-gift cards and lifestyle offers across areas such as dining, coffee, entertainment and retail. Shoorah’s Employee Assistance Programme also offers confidential financial and debt guidance, giving employees an additional route to support when money worries become difficult to manage.
These benefits cannot remove financial hardship on their own, but they can form part of a wider effort to help employees feel supported both at work and in their personal lives.
The people who care for others deserve support that recognises the pressures they face beyond their working hours, too.
