Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care
The Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England is a long-term, sector-led strategy developed by Skills for Care and partners across the care sector. Published in 2024, it sets out a vision for ensuring adult social care has enough people with the right skills to deliver high-quality care and support over the next 15 years. The strategy is organised around three themes: Attract and Retain, Train, and Transform.
The strategy provides a roadmap for addressing workforce challenges such as vacancies, retention, skills development, career progression and leadership capacity. It is intended to support workforce planning by providers, local authorities, integrated care systems and national government.
Key objectives
- Recruit and retain more people into adult social care
- Improve pay, terms and conditions
- Strengthen learning, development and career progression
- Build leadership and management capability
- Create a sustainable and professional workforce for the future
Three strategic priorities
1. Attract and Retain
- Improve the image and value of careers in adult social care
- Strengthen recruitment and retention
- Improve pay, reward and employment conditions
2. Train
- Expand learning and development opportunities
- Improve access to qualifications and apprenticeships
- Support ongoing workforce skills development
3. Transform
- Develop new ways of working
- Strengthen leadership and organisational culture
- Support innovation and future workforce planning
The strategy highlights three areas requiring particular attention:
- Action on pay and terms and conditions
- Investment in training and clear career pathways
- Establishing a long-term workforce strategy framework for the sector
Key benefits
...for Adult Social Care providers
- Supports workforce planning and succession planning
- Provides a framework for recruitment and retention activity
- Encourages investment in staff development and leadership
- Helps organisations align workforce initiatives with national priorities
...for the workforce
- Clearer career pathways
- Better access to training and development
- Increased professional recognition
- Improved opportunities for progression and leadership
The Workforce Strategy complements and aligns with several government workforce initiatives, including:
- Care Workforce Pathway
- Fair Pay Agreement
- Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS)
- Apprenticeships and Skills Programmes
- Wider Adult Social Care Workforce Reform initiatives
