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SCIE responds to the Government’s announcement of a new career pathway for the care workforce

10th January 2024

The Government has announced a long-awaited first career pathway for the social care workforce, with better training and improved job prospects. The Department of Health and Social Care has introduced a package of measures to help recruit and retain talent by providing new, accredited qualifications, digital training and funded apprenticeships.

Kathryn Smith, CEO of Social Care Institute for Excellence commented:

We welcome the Government’s ambitions for the care workforce taking a first step forward, especially the investment in a new structured career path and support for training and new qualifications. However, training needs to be extended to all new staff; valuing care professionals in this way will help retain a skilled workforce.

Much more is urgently required to tackle the pay and working conditions of the care workforce. Unlike NHS colleagues, experienced care workers consistently face low wages that have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

It is only through a properly funded and supported care workforce that we can truly transform social care for those who need it, overstretched care workers and providers. Evidence shows that addressing pay and working conditions, as well as investing in staff development, should remain a clear priority.