Demand for home care has risen during pandemic, with workforce growing by nearly 10%

Demand for home care has grown during the pandemic, with around 40,000 home care workers joining the workforce.

During the same period from 2019/2020 to 2020/2021, the care home workforce has managed to stay stable, despite a fall in occupancy rates due to Covid deaths and a shift in demand from residential care to domiciliary care, according to a new report from Skills for Care.

Its annual report ‘State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ reveals vacancy rates fell from eight per cent at the start of the pandemic to just over six per cent in March this year, however, the new data shows that vacancy rates have steadily risen again to over eight per cent in August 2021, meaning vacancy rates are now back above their pre-pandemic levels with over eight per cent of care sector roles unfilled. This is the equivalent of 105,000 vacancies being advertised on an average day.

The report also highlights that in 2020/21, the turnover rate of staff working in adult social care was 28.5 per cent, which is equivalent to approximately 410,000 leavers. Many of these remain within social care, with about two thirds (63 per cent) of recruitment coming from within this sector. Around 152,000 people left the sector completely in 2020-21.

Skills for Care chief executive Oonagh Smyth said: “This report is a stark reminder that our recruitment challenges continue, and to help tackle that we need to properly reward and value care workers for their high skill levels and dedication. We know this is a priority for the new government White Paper expected on adult social care this year and look forward to seeing the measures contained.

“We know from speaking to employers that the pandemic has had a huge impact on people working in social care. The rich data from this authoritative annual report confirms this pressure, as well as showing us longer term trends in adult social care.”

The annual report is based on data provided by sector employers to the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS). The data was collected between March to August 2021 and Skills for Care predicts 490,000 extra jobs (29 per cent) will be required by 2035 to meet demand in social care.

Ms Smyth added: “This report is just one way we will use it to make sure we can create a sustainable workforce as we enter a period of reform for adult social care.”

'The post-Brexit immigration system means providers can no longer turn to EU workers as easily as they could'

With new rules in place regarding immigration and COVID-19 travel restrictions, the data shows a sharp drop in the number of people arriving in the UK to take up adult social care jobs (nearly two per cent of new starters were recorded in January-April 2021 compared to over five per cent during the same period in 2019).

Anita Charlesworth, director of research and REAL Centre at the Health Foundation, said: “Today’s report highlights the urgent workforce challenges facing adult social care in England. Many social care employers are now reporting growing concerns about recruiting and retaining enough staff.

“There has also been a decline in the number of people from outside the UK taking up jobs in the industry at a time when the post-Brexit immigration system means providers can no longer turn to EU workers as easily as they could in the past.

“Social care work has long been characterised by low pay and poor terms and conditions. The government has committed to bring forward a White Paper on reforming adult social care later this year, which presents an opportunity to better reward, recognise and support social care staff, and to improve services for people who need them."

In regard to pay, the National Living Wage rose from £8.21 to £8.72 (6.2 per cent) in April 2020. This increase contributed to a six per cent increase in the median nominal care worker hourly rate from March 2020 to March 2021. This was the highest increase over the recorded time period.

Dr Jane Townson, chief executive of the Homecare Association, said: "This key report demonstrates the value of homecare in society and its importance in helping to keep older and disabled people well at home, but we are still experiencing the worst shortage of homecare workers we can remember.

“Social care contributes over £50bn to the economy each year, it's imperative the government invests in the workforce as a matter of priority. The Health and Social Care Levy doesn't go anywhere near far enough."

'The mandatory vaccination policy for care homes left staff feeling their views were not being respected'

The report also demonstrates the mandatory vaccination policy for care home staff has added to the sector’s recruitment and retention issues.

In July, the government announced that from 11 November, everyone working in a care home in England will have to be vaccinated. In order to be fully protected by this date, all staff have to have had two doses by 16 September.

Data from carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading care home reviews site reveals 62 per cent of care home managers say they have members of staff who will have to leave their job because they are against getting the covid vaccine.

The government analysts predict around 40,000 staff will lose their jobs due to refusing a jab. But acknowledges it could affect as many as 70,000 care workers.

Karolina Gerlich, executive director from the Care Workers Charity said: “We agree with the argument linking the decrease in filled posts with the mandatory vaccination policy for care homes which left care staff feeling that their views and concerns were not being respected or heard, and has meant providers are left desperately trying to fill gaps in their rotas, with fewer and fewer people to fill them.”

'Nothing has been done to ensure staff feel recognised and rewarded for the essential work they do'

The Care Workers Charity also argues that in a competitive labour market, sectors must have incentives decent pay, reward, recognition, respect to attract new care workers.

Employers say recruitment and retention has been problematic in recent months as other sectors such as hospitality and tourism have opened back up.

Ms Gerlich said: “Whilst the Skills for Care report speaks of the ‘opportunity’ for social care to be presented as an alternative to other sectors in light of increased automation, we are not as optimistic. The latest ONS figures show the number of job vacancies in the UK has risen to over one million for the first time since records began (September 2021).

“The data showing the pay differentiation between social care and other sectors such as hospitality, healthcare and retail illustrates the very real challenge we face without proper reform to pay.”

Cathie Williams, ADASS chief executive added: "Nothing has been done to ensure that staff feel both recognised and rewarded for the essential work they do. At a time when other sectors are offering golden hellos and significant wage increases, adult social care is being left behind.

“The government must use the upcoming Spending Review to invest in adult social care and our brilliant staff. Without that investment, we are facing an incredibly difficult winter as the gaps grow and more people will miss out on vital care and support.”

To read the full report click here