For the first time, the adult social care sector has united to develop a workforce strategy for adult social care in England. Spearheaded by Skills for Care, this strategy outlines immediate and long-term actions to address workforce challenges.
At a launch event on July 18th, co-Chairs Oonagh Smyth, CEO of Skills for Care, and Sir David Pearson, Director of Adult Social Care in Nottinghamshire, presented the strategy's key points and future steps. The recommendations focus on three areas: attracting and retaining staff, improving training and career development, and transforming the care landscape. To attract and retain social care staff, the strategy emphasises better pay and working conditions. Economic analysts modelled various pay increase scenarios, suggesting even modest pay increases could significantly boost recruitment and retention.
The strategy also calls for a 10-year attraction plan focusing on younger people and men, who are underrepresented in the sector. Improving training and career development is another crucial aspect. The strategy advocates for a three-year funding commitment to provide social workers with new skills, particularly in dementia care. It also aims to revive apprenticeships and invest in training for occupational therapists and nurses.
The final recommendation is to ensure these plans are implemented. Skills for Care suggests publishing a report every five years to assess workforce needs and establish a central body to oversee the strategy's execution.
