Skills for Care launch social care strategy

Skills for Care has launched a three-year strategy to support the creation of a fair and just society.

The new strategy sets out the direction the body will take as it works towards its vision of supporting everyone who works across social care to create a fair and just society where people can access the advice, care, and support they need to live lives they want. 

Skills for Care works with social care leaders and employers, the government, and partners across the social care system, to respond and adapt to the emerging trends and needs within social care, using data and evidence to drive forward widescale change.  

It provides best practices, tools, resources, and intelligence to support workforce recruitment, capabilities, and culture. Its work is collaborative and by working with partners it has access to expertise, support, and influence, which in turn increases the impact and reach of its work. 

The strategy focuses on four strategic areas for investment and growth over the next three years, which will guide us to help shape the skills and knowledge of the social care workforce, support reform of the sector, and ensure that social care is seen as a valued and worthwhile career. 

Its four strategic areas are: 

• Increasing workforce capacity to make sure we have the right number of people, with the right values and behaviours, working in social care now and in the future.  
• Supporting workforce capabilities to ensure staff have the right skills, knowledge, competencies, values and behaviours to meet current and future needs in our communities. 
• Supporting culture and diversity to ensure the workforce is treated equally, feels included and valued, and is supported to stay well and pursue their careers in social care. 
• Improving the social care system to ensure it’s well funded, supports people to live the lives that they choose and attracts the right people to the workforce. 

Skills for Care said each strategic priority is of equal importance to it, and only by achieving success in each area will it build a social care system that’s fit for the future and delivers on its vision.  

The new strategy was developed in recognition that the way social care is delivered needs to adapt to reflect a society in which people live longer, often have more complex needs, and have different expectations about how and where care should be delivered. 

It aims to make sure people have access to the care they want, at the point of need and, wherever possible, people are supported to live independently, in their own communities, surrounded by the people they love. 

To achieve this, it’s vital the social care workforce has the right people, with the right skills and behaviours, to deliver the highest quality care and support, now and in the future.   

Skills for Care CEO Oonagh Smyth said: ‘We are delighted to launch our new strategy and excited about the impact it will have on people drawing on care and support and working in social care over the next three years. 

‘This new strategy was created in recognition that the way social care is delivered in England is changing so it won’t be a static strategy but will evolve based on feedback and changes in social care. 

‘Skills for Care believes that social care needs to adapt to these changes so that everyone has access to care and support that is focussed on their unique needs and aspirations, now, and in the years to come. 

‘Equally, people who work in social care have to be recognised as carrying out a vital role in society.

‘We want social care to be seen by the public as a professional and skilled career that has real value for people in our communities who draw on services, supported by our committed and skilled workforce.’

Access the Skills for Care strategy here.

Photo Credit – Scott Graham