The Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy is a comprehensive response to the urgent need to address critical shortages and improve the quality of care. The sector currently employs over 1.54 million people. However, we face high turnover, low pay, and inadequate training opportunities.
This ambitious strategy aims to build a sustainable, resilient, and professional care workforce. A workforce capable of meeting the increasing demands of an ageing population.
The strategy focuses on three core areas:
Recruitment and Retention
With projections showing the need for 540,000 new care positions by 2040, the strategy is focused on addressing recruitment and retention challenges. The plan includes specific initiatives. Such as, offering competitive pay, clear career pathways, and professional recognition.
It also involves more accessible training programs, tailored recruitment campaigns, and workforce planning. These initiatives ensure that local care services meet the specific needs of their communities.
Skills and Professional Development
One of the strategy’s critical pillars is to enhance the skills and qualifications of the care workforce. As of 2023, only 54% of care workers had relevant social care qualifications. The strategy proposes significant investment in training, including implementing the new Level 2 Care Certificate, designed to provide staff with baseline skills and knowledge.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for regulated professionals such as nurses is also a priority, ensuring that experienced staff can advance in their careers and provide high-quality care. These efforts aim to create a more professionalised and capable workforce, elevating the quality of care and ensuring consistency in service delivery.
Workforce Wellbeing
The strategy highlights the importance of workforce wellbeing in reducing burnout and improving job satisfaction. Social care is demanding, and many workers face physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
The strategy proposes better support systems, including mental health resources, flexible working arrangements, and peer support networks. The strategy aims to improve retention and foster a more committed and content workforce by focusing on staff wellbeing.
Government Cuts £115m from Adult Social Care Training.
In September 2024, the government announced a £115m reduction in adult social care training and development funding. This decision means fewer care workers will have access to the essential Level 2 Care Certificate training, and no funding for regulated professionals will be available for CPD.
The cut is a significant blow to the social care sector. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) revealed that only £24m will be spent on workforce development in 2024-25, compared to the £53.9m previously allocated for the Care Certificate program alone. The Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS), which replaces the previous fund, offers much lower reimbursement limits and fails to provide dedicated funding for CPD.
This funding reduction directly challenges the strategy’s aims, particularly those related to improving workforce skills and professional development. Due to reduced access to vital qualifications and professional growth opportunities, the sector will likely continue facing issues such as high turnover and recruitment difficulties. The funding cut limits the ability to build a sustainable, skilled, and well-supported workforce, a critical component of the strategy’s long-term vision.
Implications of the Funding Cut
The strategy’s success is now at risk due to the reduced training and professional development resources. This £115m cut undermines the efforts to professionalise the workforce by limiting access to basic qualifications and lowering incentives for workers to stay in the field.
High turnover and a lack of adequately trained staff will likely persist, putting additional pressure on a strained sector. The absence of CPD funding further threatens the retention of experienced professionals like nurses, weakening the capacity to deliver high-quality care.
The Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy relies on consistent, long-term investment in workforce development to address the challenges of an ageing population and a growing demand for care services. These goals may not be achievable without adequate funding, leaving the sector vulnerable to further strain and instability.
AACA
We are committed to advocating for a better future in adult social care. We urge the government to prioritise workforce development to safeguard the future of care. You can join us in our mission by supporting our initiatives, spreading awareness, and lobbying for change. Together, we can ensure the workforce receives the training and support it desperately needs to provide high-quality care for everyone.
