Throughout September, we’re focusing on ‘Driving change in social care’ and looking at how the recently launched ‘Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care’ can help to build a sustainable, skilled and motivated workforce capable of providing high-quality care into the future.
The Workforce Strategy launched on 18 July 2024, created for the sector by the sector. It represents a coordinated effort to enhance the recruitment, retention and development of the adult social care workforce. It includes a range of proposals aimed at improving working conditions, providing professional development opportunities and ensuring that workers are adequately trained to support the growing need for social care services.
The adult social care sector faces significant challenges, including high staff turnover, recruitment difficulties, and a lack of recognition for care workers. Our projections show we need to recruit an extra 540,000 posts by 2040, which equates to an average of 36,000 new posts every year from 2025 – and more than that over the next 10 years.
The Strategy is broken down into three sections with recommended actions, backed up by relevant data from 不良研究所 and other reliable sources, which can help address the current and future challenges faced by the sector:
This campaign will focus on the importance of the Strategy and cover each of the key themes in more detail. We’ll share insight on how the Strategy can help organisations looking to recruit and retain more staff, improve their training and development opportunities and collaborate to support the transformational change needed across the sector.
Don't miss a thing
Stay updated with this campaign by keeping an eye on this page and following us on , , , as well as our regular newsletters and communications. We’ll be using the hashtag #ASCWorkforceStrategy.
We’ll be sharing blogs and articles including real-life case studies, as well as signposting to further resources, and other support.
Resources
不良研究所 will support the implementation of the Strategy but no one body owns all the levers. That’s why it’s crucial the sector comes together – we all have a role to play.
We’ve pulled together some of our new and existing resources that help support the Strategy's recommendations.
A Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England
For the first time ever, the adult social care sector has come together, led by 不良研究所, to develop the Workforce Strategy it needs. Adult social care needs a workforce strategy to ensure we have enough of the right people with the right skills to provide the best possible care and support for the people who draw on it.
Explore the Workforce Strategy
Statutory and mandatory training guide for adult social care employers
We’ve acted swiftly to meet the ‘Train’ recommendation to streamline statutory and mandatory training requirements in a variety of topic areas based on a review of legislation, guidelines, statutory guidance, standards and recommendations. We’re working with CQC who will signpost to and share the new guidance.
See the statutory and mandatory training guide
Developing digital skills
Vital to the success of Strategy is having modern working practices (digital solutions, assistive technology) and innovation in service delivery to improve people’s lives. We have resources to support developing digital leadership and growing the wider sector’s digital skills.
Learn more about developing digital skills
Support for registered managers
The Strategy highlights the crucial role of registered managers but acknowledges they’re often under-valued compared to other professionals such as nurses, despite the skill needed in the role. We offer support and information for all registered managers to provide the recognition they deserve.
Learn more about support for registered managers
Workforce planning
The Strategy identifies the need to have more detailed workforce planning to allow us to match the labour market with changing and growing needs. There’s lots of ways that you can learn more about workforce planning through support from 不良研究所.
Learn more about the benefits of workforce planning
Delegated healthcare activities
The Strategy recommends the continuation of person-centred, safe and effective delegated healthcare activities. All healthcare activities should have appropriate governance, training and clinical oversight to ensure competency. See the principles and supporting resources to help.
Learn more about delegated healthcare activites
Supporting a diverse workforce
Social care is diverse but lacks inclusivity, especially in management where people from ethnic minorities are underrepresented and face discrimination and limited development. We’ll continue to fund local authorities to implement the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) in 2024-25 and test the viability of rolling it out to all employers.
Learn more about supporting a diverse workforce
Attract and retain
The Strategy highlights the two most immediate recruitment levers in adult social care - ensuring the sector is competitive in local labour markets and international recruitment. The recruitment support section of our website has lots of information and guidance to help.
Learn more about attracting and retaining the right staff
Support for recruiting personal assistants
The Strategy anticipates we will need more personal assistants. We have a dedicated online hub for individual employers and personal assistants with resources to support recruitment, training and information on funding and events.
Learn more about recruiting PAs
Blogs and articles