Adult Social Care Workforce Reform Programme
The Adult Social Care Workforce Reform Programme is the Government's long-term umbrella programme to professionalise the adult social care workforce through improved career pathways, training, pay reform and workforce development, helping providers recruit, retain and develop skilled care staff. It forms part of the wider adult social care reform agenda and aims to make social care a more attractive and sustainable career.
Key objectives
- Improve recruitment and retention of care staff
- Develop a more skilled and professional workforce
- Create clearer career pathways and progression opportunities
- Support high-quality, personalised care
- Strengthen leadership and management capability across the sector
Main components
- A national career framework setting out the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours required across adult social care roles
- Provides a clear progression route from entry-level roles through to management positions
Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS)
- Financial support for employers to invest in workforce training and qualifications
- Encourages continuous professional development and workforce upskilling
- Government commitment to establish a Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care workers
- Intended to improve pay, conditions and workforce stability
Career development and progression
- Supports movement into leadership roles and regulated professions such as nursing and social work
- Aims to provide clearer routes for advancement within the sector
Expected benefits
...for care workers
- Better access to training and qualifications
- Clearer career progression
- Greater professional recognition
...for providers
- Improved recruitment and retention
- More consistent workforce standards
- Better leadership capability
...for people who draw on care and support
- Higher quality and more consistent care
- Better skilled and more stable care teams
