Welcome to Social Care Research (SCR)

Our Mission

At Social Care Research, our mission is to conduct high-quality, impactful research that informs policy, shapes practice and drives meaningful improvements across the social care sector. From investigating modern slavery and workforce exploitation to exploring the role of technology in care delivery, we are committed to highlighting and addressing inequalities that affect carers, service users and underrepresented communities, particularly Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. Our aim is to help build a more inclusive, just and compassionate society where all individuals, regardless of background, can engage with and benefit from safe, equitable, and culturally responsive care.

Our Vision

We envision a future where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has equitable access to safe, high-quality, and culturally appropriate care. A future where modern slavery in care settings is eliminated, carers are valued, and communities currently underrepresented in social care are meaningfully included in its development. Through rigorous, evidence-based research and a commitment to transparency, integrity and inclusion, we aim to inform better practices and support continuous improvement across the sector. Join us in working toward a more responsive and compassionate care system, where the dignity and well-being of every individual is respected and upheld.

Our Research

Founded with a passion for promoting social change

Our focus has since expanded to include the effects of digitisation in health and social care, especially its impact on Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. Older BAME adults remain underrepresented in adult social care due to language barriers, mistrust, and a lack of culturally tailored information.

With the rise of digital GP access and technology-enabled care (TEC), these disparities risk growing further. Our current research explores how stakeholders are working to bridge these gaps, ensuring equitable access to digital tools, infrastructure, and skills so that no community is left behind in the move toward digital care.

Research Focus Areas

Building a Better Future with Social Insights

Modern Slavery Research

We conduct comprehensive research on modern slavery in the care sector, investigating the root causes, prevalence, impact on carers and provide recommendations for prevention and intervention.

Care Inequalities Research

Conduct a deep dive into the disparities in access to healthcare services, examining the factors that contribute to unequal care and proposing potential solutions to address these issues

Carer’s Well-being Research

Conduct a series of in-depth carer stress studies to better understand the challenges faced by carers, including the impact on their physical and mental health.

CAAMS

The Carers Association Against Modern Slavery is a pivotal project that has emerged from our extensive research efforts. It exists to empower care workers with knowledge and tools to recognise and prevent modern slavery in their work.

Technology Enabled Care Research

We explore the impact of digital innovation in health and social care with a particular focus on how technology-enabled care (TEC) affects access and outcomes for underserved groups, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. Our research examines barriers to digital inclusion, such as access to devices, digital literacy and infrastructure and identifies strategies to ensure equitable uptake and benefit from TEC solutions.

Have you heard about CAAMS?

The Carers Association Against Modern Slavery (CAAMS) is a groundbreaking project that was launched in response to our research findings. The purpose of this project is to support and empower carers who are at risk of being exploited and mistreated in UK private homes.

Why Not Join CAAMS Today!

Join us on this transformative journey as we equip you with the knowledge, insights, and tools needed to combat modern slavery within social care. Together, let’s bring about tangible change and create a future where every carer is treated with dignity and respect.

Sad Stories narrated by carers

As early as 2009, Kalayaan gathered troubling accounts from carers holding domestic visas. Here we are in 2024 and the issue of modern slavery in the care industry persists. Despite the enactment of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, carers continue to face challenges. If the Modern Slavery Act of 2015 did not effectively address the challenges faced by carers, which legislation will provide relief?

Source: Care and Immigration - migrant care workers in private households.
(Kalayaan and Compass 2009)

They always expect me to lift them. They are always saying because I am from Africa I am strong. Because they know the people from Africa carry buckets of water on their hand and walking and awful things, so that is one of the problems I have, they always think I am up for anything…which is hard sometimes (C36).

It’s like I’m their maid. It’s like you are doing the housework. It’s like you are a maid. I don’t know…they said it’s only a carer job. I thought that someone [additional] maybe coming to help the family [home], like cooking and cleaning, but [the employer] tried to manage with us only. That’s what happened. So we would be much tired, doing this work and that work (C1).

Randy Tran

They [employers] only know Indian are never….Indians will close eyes and work, work harder. They wanted Indians to work here’ (C11).

“Our clients are not only old, they’re fragile too. And we need to constantly assist them. You need to help them stand. So [I] worry what it’s [all] doing to my back.” (C33)

Like nowadays to get my money, I have to beg on him. If he doesn’t want to go to get cash for me, that means...it’s very hard. [I tell his daughter] It’s not begging. It’s my pay. He didn’t pay me for last week. That’s the money I’m asking for (C42).

I’m just doing my job. But also I need time to myself. Even if I’m living with them 24 hours, it doesn’t mean I should be working every minute...They want, maybe they want to sit with you all the time. They want to know what you’re doing every minute. They think when you’re working for them 24 hours, you should be working all the time (C40).

Sometimes you can go out, because they [the employer] say you can go out. But with this lady, how can you go out when she’s [constantly] falling like that? You [should be able to] do what you want with your two-hour break, isn’t it? But [her falling constantly] means you should be with her [instead]. It’s difficult now. How can I take my two-hour break? (C37).

It is difficult working as a live-in care[r]; your social life is limited you know? I don’t have plenty of time to socialise. You have to do it like only [on a] time table to save…time, like to meet someone. But when you’re working in a care home, you see people every day at work. You talk, you laugh. It is more healthy (C49)

They want to make you work for every penny they pay you. That’s how you get into a situation where you have to clean all the windows, the silver, the carpets, just for the sake of doing something rather than for you to sit down and have a bit of a break…In that case the agencies they do help you in that situation because they are kind of in control (C36).

In the care sector, there remains a significant gap in the implementation of rights-based programs designed to empower workers and enforce laws against perpetrators of modern slavery. The UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015 was enacted to combat human trafficking and severe labour exploitation, including those occurring in care settings. However, it is worth questioning whether the UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015 effectively addresses the exploitative conditions faced by carers. To discuss this topic further, paid carers are invited to join CAAMS.