A rapid evidence review informing the development of a regional adult social care workforce strategy for Cornwall.
Key messages
Policy implications
Gaps
Commentary
This review provides a detailed picture of the adult social care workforce in Cornwall, linking workforce conditions to the wider local economy. By bringing together data on pay, turnover, skills and demographics, it highlights the complexity of sustaining care provision in a geographically diverse area.
The findings show how workforce challenges are unevenly distributed. Differences in demographics, skills and turnover across Cornwall point to the limits of one-size-fits-all approaches to workforce planning and the importance of place-based strategies.
From a care equity perspective, the review draws attention to who makes up the workforce and how their experiences vary. Gender, age, nationality, ethnicity and disability all shape access to employment, training and progression within adult social care. Where skills gaps or low pay persist, these patterns risk reinforcing inequities within the workforce and, in turn, affecting the quality and continuity of care.
Overall, the report underlines that workforce strategy is inseparable from equity considerations. Addressing disparities in pay, skills and opportunity is not only central to supporting workers, but also to ensuring that adult social care can meet the needs of communities across Cornwall in a fair and sustainable way.
A national overview of the adult social care sector and workforce in England, including recruitment, retention, pay, demographics and training.
Key statistics
Key messages
Policy implications
Gaps
Commentary
This report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the adult social care workforce in England, highlighting the scale and persistence of recruitment and retention challenges. High turnover and continued reliance on international recruitment underscore the fragility of workforce supply.
The demographic profile of the workforce is striking. A predominantly female workforce, combined with variations in pay and progression, points to long-standing structural issues in how care work is valued and rewarded. These patterns shape both workforce stability and career sustainability.
From a care equity perspective, the findings raise questions about who bears the burden of workforce instability. Low pay, high turnover and limited progression disproportionately affect groups already overrepresented in the sector, including women and migrant workers. These have consequences for continuity, quality and fairness of care for people who rely on services.
Overall, the report highlights that addressing workforce shortages is not only about numbers. Improving equity in pay, conditions and opportunity is central to building a stable adult social care workforce and ensuring that care is delivered consistently and fairly across England.
A study examining care work in residential homes for older people, focusing on working conditions, care routines and the relationship between workforce culture and quality of care.
Key messages
Policy implications
Gaps
Commentary
This study provides a detailed account of how care work is organised and experienced within residential homes for older people. By focusing on everyday routines and interactions, it shows how care quality emerges from the interaction between resources, organisational culture and staff practice.
The findings emphasise that good care is not solely a function of individual commitment. Workforce culture and material conditions shape what care workers are able to do, how time is prioritised and how responsibilities are distributed across teams.
From a care equity perspective, the study highlights how under-resourcing and time constraints can create uneven care experiences for residents. When staff are required to ration time or negotiate unclear responsibilities, some residents may receive more attentive care than others. These dynamics reflect broader inequities in how care is funded and organised, rather than individual failings of workers.
Overall, the paper stresses the importance of viewing workforce conditions as central to equitable care. Ensuring fair allocation of time, clarity of roles and adequate resources is essential if residential care homes are to provide consistent and dignified care for all residents.
