Launch of Social Care Workforce Strategy!

Launch of Social Care Workforce Strategy 

ARC NI has been calling for a dedicated strategy that aims to better support Social Care by helping us recruit the staff we need and for the staff to be recognised for the support they provide to people.  So we were delighted to see the launch of the Social Care Workforce Strategy 2025-2035 last week. 

This is the first ever strategy specific to social care staff. This strategy aims to develop a sustainable and valued social care workforce over the next ten years (2025-2035). According to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, this plan will “help support social services to meet the needs of individuals, families and communities now and in the future.” 

We welcome the Department of Health’s strategy as the social care workforce is of integral value to the lives of many people, including those with a learning disability, autism and other support needs. As of 30 September, there are 40,532 registered social care practitioners in Northern Ireland. This highlights the need for a strategy such as this, that is focussing on attracting, growing, retaining and developing the social care workforce. 

Priorities and Actions 

The social care workforce strategy outlines 7 key priorities and 22 actions.  

7 Priorities: 

1. Social Care will be an attractive career choice. 
2. Social Care Practitioners will be recognised and feel valued. 
3. Social Care Practitioners will have access to qualifications and ongoing development opportunities. 
4. Social Care services will be led by effective, passionate leaders and managers. 
5. Strategic workforce planning will strengthen the social care workforce. 
6. Enhanced digital capabilities will strengthen the workforce. 
7. Social care workforce regulation will be expanded. 

But the need for this strategy has been discussed for a long time and some work to achieve some actions has already happened.   

Social Care Collaborative Forum & Fair Work Forum 

ARC NI is a member of the Social Care Collaborative Forum.  This Forum is trying to reform social care.  It recognises that social care worker’s pay, terms and conditions of work remain the most pressing issue in terms of stabilising the existing workforce and building a sustainable workforce for the future.  So in that context, the Social Care Fair Work Forum was re-established in December 2023.  ARC NI is a member of this also.  Alongside employers, trade unions, government departments and other statutory agencies we are developing an evidence-based case to support a Real Living Wage sector. 

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In addition, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) launched the Care in Practice (CiP) Framework last week.  This Framework is a part of Priority 3, which will increase the training and qualifications required by social care staff. As a result, this is believed to create a culture of ongoing learning and development. There are already social care staff who have completed the new Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice. 

So how will ARC NI continue to help? 

Firstly, we will continue to listen to the experiences of social care providers and the people who use services and supports. In doing so, we will represent their views within government structures. For example, through the Social Care Collaborative Forum and the Social Care Fair Work Forum.   

Secondly, we will support the priorities and actions of the Social Care Workforce Strategy by continuing to support the Continued Professional Development of social care workforce.  Moreover, our training portfolio offers a range of high quality, affordable courses, that promote best practice underpinned by key values.  For instance, these include human rights, equality and inclusion and person-centred practices. Consequently, with the goal of improving the lives of people supported.  Courses include induction training.  This helps new staff gain knowledge to understand and support the needs of people with a learning disability, autism and other support needs. Additionally, we also offer training for Registered Managers, to further their learning and development. 

Moreover, this strategy outlines the importance of co-production, engagement and partnership with various stakeholders. For over 25 years, we have facilitated a variety of special interest networks between stakeholders to broker a shared understanding of issues through capacity building and collaboration, seeking sector consensus to any action required.  So why not join our Workforce Development Network? 

Final thoughts – Benefit of a Social Care Workforce Strategy 

The launch of a Social Care Workforce Strategy is refreshing and cannot be overstated particularly for the social care sector. We only hope that this progress will continue. A highly valued, well-trained social care workforce will result in high-quality social care for everyone. We will continue to advocate for this to ensure the lives of people supported are improved through real change.  

 We will be continuing this discussion at our conference in March 2025.