Updated strategy to cope with demands of future care workforce

A refreshed Adult Social Care Workforce Recruitment and Retention Strategy has been launched by Skills for Care.

The refreshed strategy builds upon the achievements of the first ever strategy launched in 2011 and sets out clear priorities to help meet the future workforce demands of an aging population on care services in communities.

Employers will be able to download the strategy to help them focus on three priorities:

• raising the profile of adult social care and the career progression opportunities it offers to attract more people with the right values and skills.
• encouraging and enabling better recruitment practices
• addressing above average turnover rates in the sector.

This refreshed strategy was prepared by Skills for Care on behalf of the Department of Health’s recruitment and retention group which included representatives from the National Skills Academy for Social Care, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care, Care England, the Care Providers Alliance, Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, National Care Association, Registered Nursing Home Association (RNHA), the Royal Association for Deaf People and the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA).

Skills for Care and National Skills Academy CEO Sharon Allen said: “We know turnover and vacancy rate are too high, but by using the expertise and frontline experiences of group members we have created a practical strategy that will help tackle serious recruitment and retention problems that impact on all employers big or small.

“I want to thank all those who have worked so hard to create this easy to use strategy. It brings together in one place key initiatives already in place to help employers – like the Social Care Commitment – but also sets out what more we need to do to find people with the rights values and skills to offer high quality person centred care.”

The strategy that runs until 2017 will be reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Department of Health’s recruitment and retention group, backed by a detailed implementation plan.

To support the implementation of the refreshed strategy Skills for Care has launched ‘Investing in values’ top tips cards and guidance to support employers identify their workplace values and how they can be embedded as part of the recruitment and retention process.  For more information go to www.skillsforcare.org.uk/values.

The strategy can be downloaded at www.skillsforcare.org.uk/randrstrategy