CARE workers in Britain have been subjected to more than 12,000 violent attacks over the last 10 years, according to new figures published today.

The statistics, obtained by law firm Legal Expert from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), show that the volume of reports has remained consistent since 2013.

It found that between the financial years 2013-14 and 2023-24, there had been 12,432 violent attacks on residential care workers resulting in serious injury.

Most cases — 10,097 — involved an injury so serious that the care worker had to take at least a week off work. 

Another 2,240 carers suffered major injuries, such as fractures, brain damage, loss of consciousness and amputation.

Commenting on the figures, the Care Workers’ Charity CEO Karolina Gerlich said: “We often hear about care workers experiencing abuse and violent attacks at work. Care workers talk about being hit, bitten, pushed or spat on.

“Care work is the only profession where abuse against workers is expected and workers are told that it is part of the job.”  

England had the highest number of violent incidents that result in injury, with an average of 950 reports made annually — the equivalent of two a day. 

In comparison, the average in Wales and Scotland combined was 175 a year.

Ms Gerlich pointed out that care workers also experience verbal, racial, sexual and many other types of abuse and harassment.

“Nobody should go to work and expect to be hurt,” she said.

“Care workers support the lives of others and better measures have to be put in place to support them.”

Carers working in other residential care activities such as adoption services, disability assistance and youth welfare services reported the highest number of injuries, with 5,111 reported in the last 10 years. 

Unison head of social care Gavin Edwards said: “Care workers know that to a certain extent dealing with challenging behaviour comes with the job.

“But there is much that employers can do to shield staff as much as possible.

“Key here is ensuring there are always enough staff on shift so care workers aren’t left to deal with extremely distressed people on their own.

“Ensuring those being cared for see the same faces regularly is important too, as is thorough training for all staff.”

In a survey of 900 GMB members working in care, 50 per cent said their mental health had been affected by the abuse they receive at work.

A large proportion of the workforce are migrants vulnerable to exploitation.