Released On 17th Jan 2024
Care Workforce Pathway launched
Government has launched a new Care Workforce Pathway as part of a wider package of support for the domestic adult social care workforce. Whilst being largely welcomed by the sector, concerns have been raised that Government's plans do not go far enough to address long-standing issues surrounding recruitment and retention of staff. In addition, it has been claimed that Government's announcement fails to deal with what is widely regarded to be the most pressing issue currently facing the social care workforce, a fair pay deal.
According to Care England, the largest representative body of independent providers of adult social care in England, the plans being rolled out include:
The launch of the Care Workforce Pathway: For the first time, there will be a national career structure for the adult social care workforce, covering the breadth and complexity of care.
Over £50m of funding for a new qualification: This will support up to 37,000 individuals in direct adult social care roles to enrol on the new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification between June 2024 and March 2025.
An investment of over £20m for apprenticeships: Local authorities and adult social care providers will be able to use the money towards training and supervising hundreds of new social work and nurse apprentices.
Subsidised training places: An uplift to the Workforce Development Fund will expand access to learning and development, creating opportunities for the workforce to become experts in their field or progress into new roles.
A new digital leadership qualification: This will help equip social care leaders and managers with the confidence and capability to lead the implementation and use of technology in the delivery of care.
In response to Government's announcement, Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive at Care England, said, 'This package of measures, including the Care Workforce Pathway, is an opportunity to be an asset to the sector and has the potential to make it a more attractive sector to work in. The value of enhancing our domestic workforce can’t be understated, particularly as we lost over 50,000 domestic workers last year which were replaced by 70,000 international recruits. This value has only become greater in light of the changes made by the Home Office to the international recruitment route late last year.