Carers in Wales are becoming better qualified

The Care Council for Wales has called for the Welsh Government to support a new analysis of social care worker regulation, in partnership with care regulators and local authorities, in order to assemble a workforce fully prepared for the challenges of an ageing population.

Research undertaken by the Council has found that social care staff are now better qualified, but records that staff turnover in the care sector remains high, especially in residential care homes where retaining more qualified staff needs to be prioritised.

The report ‘Raising Standards in Social Care’ draws upon the Council’s regulatory work in order to recognise emerging workforce trends, the data from which will inform efforts to keep the standards of social care staff improving.

The 2002 Code of Practice for Social Care Workers remains the benchmark by which carers are assessed, with the Council reporting success in attempts throughout 2011-12 to raise the awareness of the Code amongst managers and carers, thanks to a leaflet campaign and material sent to newly-registered managers.

Chair of the Council, Arwel Ellis Owen was pleased with the findings of the report, saying: “The report shows the contribution the Care Council is making, in partnership with others, to the continuing development of the regulation of the workforce. It shows how regulation is contributing to raising standards of the registered social care workforce, so that the public and service users have a professional, confident and safe workforce.”

In summary, the report also concludes that all registered social care managers hold the minimum qualification for their sector, while all home care and domiciliary workers have either achieved their minimum qualification or are required to do so before a renewal process comes into place.