The latest data gives grounds for cautious optimism. It is encouraging to see vacancy rates return to the lowest levels in a decade and the workforce continue to grow.
But one of the key drivers of workforce growth in recent years has been international recruitment. International colleagues have made an invaluable contribution to social care. However, changes to the migration system mean that international recruitment alone cannot provide a sustainable long-term answer to the sector’s workforce challenges. This is against a backdrop of a reduction in British nationals joining the workforce. Together, these trends expose the fragility of the sector’s workforce pipeline.
The progress shown in this year’s figures is welcome, but sustaining it will require long-term workforce planning and investment. Social care must be seen as a valued career with clear progression opportunities, competitive pay, and access to high-quality learning and development. Building a strong domestic workforce is essential if we are to create a resilient social care sector capable of meeting growing demand in the years ahead.
Gerard Crofton-Martin
Interim Chief Executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)