The National Care Forum (NCF) – the leading association for not-for-profit social care has issued a response to the publication today of a workforce strategy for adult social care developed by Skills for Care.

This strategy was developed in collaboration with a wide range of organisations, including NCF, representatives of our membership and people with a stake in the future of the sector.

Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of NCF commented: “We welcome this workforce strategy and its future-focussed approach which embraces the role of technology and pays attention to the changing nature of care work, the expectations of the workforce and the emerging requirements placed on the sector as the UK population ages. This is the first dedicated social care workforce strategy to be produced for over 15 years and could not be better positioned for the new government to use as a launchpad to strengthen the economic contribution of social care, build skills and expertise and frame future discussions around fair pay, terms and conditions for care workers. It has been produced through far reaching collaboration and a shared commitment to transform the experience of those delivering this vital public service.

“Bolstering this work is the publication of a joint report from the Health Foundation and Nuffield Trust that sets out five policy options to improve pay that could form part of this workforce strategy and the government’s wider ambition to introduce fair pay agreements.

“Care needs are rising, particularly amongst those who require complex care and support, as reported in the ADASS Spring Survey earlier in the week. When combined with the strategy’s recommendations and the policy options for improved pay from the Nuffield Trust and Health Foundation, the picture is clear: urgent focus needs to be on investment in the people working in social care as a key component of any future industrial strategy, finally recognising the vital role care plays in contributing to the economies of each and every community up and down the country.

“The new government should now take forward this strategy at pace. There is a welcome commitment in the King’s Speech to develop a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers. This must be fully funded, have a long-term focus on fair pay, terms and conditions for care workers and support the infrastructure needed for meaningful engagement between employers, unions and the government. Everyone wants care to become a more attractive career, particularly to younger people, men, and those with technical skills, who remain underrepresented groups in the workforce. Developing pathways which show clear routes for training and progression is going to be a crucial part of the solution. This will require continued collaboration across the sector, with government support, to make a reality.

“We have long talked about the shift required in how care work is perceived by society and the recommendations contained within the workforce strategy heavily rely on this cultural change being driven by the new government and backed by the funding to enable meaningful and sustainable change. We urge them to take on board the ideas set out in this document and extend the offer to work together with them to implement an actionable plan.”