Reflecting on One Year of the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care

Jane Brightman, Director of Workforce Development, reflects on the achievements of the Strategy one year since its launch.

On 18 July 2024 we published the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care; a first of its kind strategy for the sector and a move that was widely hailed as a turning point for social care in England.

In the year since its launch, I’m delighted by the progress we’ve already seen.

The Strategy was developed for the sector by the sector. It’s a collaborative effort led by Skills for Care, including over 1,000 stakeholders alongside people who draw on care and support, health and education.

It sets out clear recommendations and commitments focused on three key areas: attract and retain, train, and transform.

Ultimately, it’s about finding and keeping the right people with the right skills working in social care, to provide the best possible care and support for the people who draw on it.

Since the launch of the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care, the sector has made some very meaningful strides in implementing its recommendations and promoting it in key spaces. This progress reflects a collective commitment to addressing key workforce challenges and transforming the future of adult social care, which is inspiring to see.

Of the 56 recommendations, over 50% are either completed or in progress. This includes action on pay, improvements to training, and a commitment to creating clear career development opportunities.

The Care Workforce Pathway is an important element of the Strategy, setting out clear routes for progression to build a lifelong career in care. The first organisations have already started utilising the Pathway as part of the early adoption scheme last year and there is now the opportunity for another 90 organisations to continue to pioneer the pathway in its next phase of adoption.

In Government we’ve seen Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, announce a commitment to dementia training for social care staff - a key recommendation of the Strategy. Meanwhile across integrated care systems (ICSs) and local authorities we’ve seen work increasingly aligned to fit with the Workforce Strategy.

But perhaps one of the most exciting developments in the past year has been the passion of 409 individuals, organisations, and groups who have signed up to become Workforce Strategy Champions, advocating for the Strategy, helping to amplify its messages and ensuring its successful implementation at various levels across adult social care.

Social care providers are also actively contributing to the progress of the Workforce Strategy by developing and sharing innovative practices, and we look forward to continuing to share some of this work in upcoming blogs and articles.

The progress made with the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care since its launch in July 2024 has been both inspiring and promising. It’s clear that the sector is rallying behind the Strategy, with meaningful steps taken to address the workforce challenges faced by social care. From local authorities to integrated care systems and social care providers, all levels of the sector are engaged in implementing the Strategy's recommendations and promoting it as widely as possible.

As we navigate the challenges of increasing care demands, the Workforce Strategy provides a clear and comprehensive plan to ensure that adult social care can meet these needs. It’s heartening to see such strong momentum, and with continued collaboration across the sector, there’s no doubt the Strategy will help to build a sustainable social care workforce that can  meet the needs of our communities now and in the future.

Visit the dedicated Workforce Strategy website to view the complete list of recommendations and insights, and find out more about the Strategy.

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