SCIE responds to the latest data from Skills for Care showing vacancy rates in social care return to pre-COVID levels

The fall in vacancy rate is cause for optimism, but the picture overall is still one of high turnover, persistent recruitment difficulties and a sector held together by the goodwill of overstretched staff.

The system is precariously dependent on overseas workers, who make up a growing proportion of new starters. This overreliance is not a sustainable strategy, and it leaves the entire care system vulnerable to policy changes and political headwinds beyond its control.

SCIE welcomes the sector-wide collaboration led by Skills for Care in shaping the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care. It provides a strong, shared foundation to tackle urgent challenges around recruitment, retention and workforce stability. We now call on the government to work with the sector to prioritise and implement key elements of the strategy, particularly around pay, career progression, training and wellbeing. Achieving parity of esteem with the NHS is not only fair but essential, given the critical role the adult social care workforce will play in enabling the success of the 10-Year Health Plan and ensuring people receive care closer to home.

There are reasons to be hopeful. The proposed Fair Pay Agreement has the potential to be a transformative step forward – recognising the skills of care workers, improving their economic security and creating conditions that encourage people to stay and build their careers in care. High turnover affects care quality and continuity, disrupts relationships and ultimately harms those who draw on care and support services.

But a Fair Pay Agreement must be implemented as part of a broader commitment to workforce reform. It cannot be another isolated policy fix. We must ensure the voices of care workers, providers and people who draw on care are central to designing a future-proof system.