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Social Services: Recruitment

Answer

The adult social care workforce is growing, with Skills for Care data reporting that in 2023/24 there were 1.705 million filled posts, an increase of 70,000 filled posts compared with 2022/23.

The independent commission, announced on 3 January, will look at how we recruit, retain, and recognise the adult social care workforce. We are already taking action through a number of reforms including introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement and expanding the Care Workforce Pathway (the new national career structure) to make the adult social care sector more attractive. We will support care workers to safely take on further duties to deliver delegated healthcare activities, with the right training and clinical governance in place.

In September 2024, we launched the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, which allows employers to claim for funding for training courses and qualifications on behalf of eligible staff. We are also launching a national recruitment campaign in February 2025 to encourage suitable candidates to apply for immediate vacancies by highlighting the varied and rewarding work available.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL3969

Session

2024-26

Subjects

Recruitment Social services

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk