Your voice can help shape the future of adult social care

Oonagh Smyth, CEO, Skills for Care, shares how can make your voice heard through the Adult Social Care Workforce Survey.

The people who work in adult social care understand it better than anyone.

You know what makes it such a rewarding place to work. You know the pressures, the opportunities and the realities of supporting people every day. And you know what would make the biggest difference to your working life.

That's why we want to hear from you in the 2026 Adult Social Care Workforce Survey.

This survey is your opportunity to speak honestly about your experience of working in social care. Whether you're a care worker, manager, nurse, occupational therapist, social worker or work in another role, your perspective matters. Every person working in adult social care sees the sector from a slightly different angle, and we need to hear from as many people as possible to build a true picture of what working life is really like.

The survey covers the issues that affect people every day, including pay, workload, wellbeing, career development and workplace culture. It asks what's helping people stay in social care and what makes them think about leaving. Most importantly, it provides a space for people to tell it how it is.

Whether you're feeling positive about your role, finding things difficult, or a bit of both, your experience is valuable. The good, the bad and everything in between helps build a picture of what life is really like for the adult social care workforce.

I know some people may wonder whether completing a survey can really make a difference. It's a fair question. Change doesn't happen overnight, and there are challenges facing our sector that many people have been talking about for years.

But if nobody says it, nothing changes.

The survey provides insight that can't be found anywhere else. The findings help inform Government thinking about workforce issues and contribute to conversations about support, funding, policy and future priorities. They help decision-makers understand what's happening on the ground and where improvement is needed most.

The future of adult social care should be shaped by the people who work in it. That's why taking part matters.

We also need as many people as possible to complete the survey. Every response adds to the picture. The more voices we hear, the stronger the case for change becomes.

Please don't assume someone else will tell your story for you.

What makes your working day rewarding? What are the biggest pressures you face? What support do you need to thrive in your role? These experiences are unique to you, and they deserve to be heard.

The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and all responses are confidential. Nobody will be able to identify you from your answers.

So, if you've ever wanted decision-makers to better understand what it's really like to work in adult social care, this is your opportunity.

Take a few minutes, be honest about your experience and add your voice to the thousands of others helping build a clearer picture of our workforce.

Your voice matters. And together, our voices can help shape a better future for adult social care.

Fill out the survey now.

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