Study suggests new-found appreciation of social care careers as job applications increase

Applications for social care jobs have increased as the pandemic has improved people’s perceptions of working in the sector, new research has suggested.

A new-found appreciation for carers could help improve the longstanding shortage of workers, a report said.

A study by the Work Foundation and jobs site Totaljobs found almost a third of jobseekers were considering working in the sector.

The report added that one in seven current social care workers were actively looking for a new job outside the industry as it faces new challenges.

Data from Totaljobs showed the number of applications to social care roles increased by 39% in the past year.

Younger candidates are most likely to be planning to pursue careers in care, the study indicated.

Jon Wilson, chief executive of Totaljobs, said: “Social care providers can make the most of this new interest by consciously tackling misconceptions of the industry and speaking to the needs of young people in particular.

“Highlighting the training opportunities and range of qualifications on offer to people pursuing a role in care will also help employers to hire staff who see care as a long-term career path.”

Ben Harrison, director at the Work Foundation, said: “For too long poor pay, limited options for progression and challenging working conditions have driven significant staff shortages and high levels of churn.

“This new research highlights the window of opportunity we now have to tackle these issues, as more people than ever, including higher numbers of young people, are looking at social care as a viable career option.”

The research involved a survey of more than 1,000 adult social care workers and 3,875 jobseekers.

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