Care workers: building the future social care workforce
Future of care No 2 – November 2016
More care workers are needed to meet the care and support needs of the future. The adult care sector therefore needs to recruit, train and retain more social care workers. The extent of the challenge – and the effectiveness of our responses – will depend in part on political, economic, social and technological changes.
This paper looks at three hypothetical future scenarios, and how the sector might respond to the challenges and opportunities those scenarios offer. It highlights the common responses and actions that may help to attract more people to a career working in care.
It is based on an event with stakeholders across the social care sector, hosted by the Social Care Institute for Excellence in July 2016. The event was part of a wider research study commissioned by JP Morgan Chase Foundation.
SCIE would like to thank JP Morgan Chase Foundation for supporting the event and the wider research which informed this paper, and Rob Francis from OPM for his work on this project.
The views expressed in this paper are based on discussions with a wide group of stakeholders.
Definitions
The following definitions are used in this report:
- Care worker: Staff who are paid to deliver direct personal care or support. They may or may not require formal qualifications to fulfil their role. It excludes social workers.
- Carer: A family member or friend who supports someone with care needs. They are unpaid and provide support independently of any organisation.
- Volunteer: Someone who provides support through a volunteers’ scheme. They are not paid, but may receive expenses.
Additional support
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See also our training and consultancy services.
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Foreword and future of social care
Lord Bichard on preparing the care workforce for a range of possible futures, and Dr Ossie Stuart on what a good care system would look like.
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Key messages and projections
Actions that could support recruitment and retention of future care workers, plus key projections for the social care workforce
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Care workers – summary of scenarios
Summary of potential scenarios including challenges, opportunities and actions that could be taken in order to maximise opportunities.
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Scenario 1: A sunny outlook - but is social care in the shade?
UK remains within EEA, economy performs strongly, restrictions are placed unqualified migrants, and NHS is to receive more funding.
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Scenario 2: Weathering the storm
UK leaves EEA, leading to economic uncertainty and big companies disinvesting. Immigration drops, apprenticeships and workplace qualifications increase.
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Scenario 3: A change in the weather
UK remains in the EU, public spending increases, including investment in training for carer workers. New employment rights raise the minimum wage.
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Working in care - Blogs
Series of blogs by sector leaders on recruitment, training and retention of care staff.
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Workshop participants
List of stakeholders who took part in workshop on the future of the care workforce.