New plans to develop domestic care workforce

The government has outlined plans aimed at improving the career prospects of the domestic care workforce with training, qualifications and a clearer, care career path.

The plans will include better training for social care staff with over £50 million 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.

There is also over £20 million 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.

A new digital leadership qualification will help equip social care leaders and managers to lead the implementation and use of technology in the delivery of care.

The announcement comes the same week as the Made with Care campaign, which is aimed at getting more people in the UK to consider a career in care.

Minister for Social Care, Helen Whately, said: "The workforce is the heartbeat of the social care sector and staff should be given the recognition and opportunities they deserve. These changes will give brilliant care workers the chance to develop rewarding careers in social care.

"There are also many talented people across the country who would thrive in care work but haven’t seen it as a career choice. We’re changing that; our new career path and qualifications recognise social care as the skilled profession it is.

"Turnover of staff is lower where there is access to learning opportunities to gain skills and qualifications according to social care workforce development body, Skills for Care. Investing in better training and supporting staff to develop their careers will act as an incentive for people to join or stay in the workforce."