Adult social care vacancies almost double in a year to 10%

Vacancy rates within the care sector have nearly doubled from 5.9 per cent in March 2021 to 10 per cent in March 2022, according to the latest monthly data from Skills for Care.

The number of filled posts has decreased by 4.6 per cent between March 2021 and March 2022. The decrease was greater in care homes with nursing, which fell by six per cent.

Skills for Care say the decrease in jobs in the sector is unusual and given the vacancy rate has also risen over the same period, this points towards recruitment and retention difficulties for the sector rather than a decrease in demand, with employers not being able to find and recruit the staff they need.

The mandatory vaccination policy introduced last year would have contributed to the rise in vacancy rates in the social care workforce with tens of thousands of care workers estimated to have left the sector as a result of the mandate.

Oonagh Smyth, chief executive of Skills for Care says: “Our latest monthly data highlights the recruitment and retention challenges that we know providers are facing right now. Through our recruitment resources, and by working directly with providers, local authorities, and the Department of Health and Social Care we are aiming to support employers to tackle this challenge.”

carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading care home jobs site has seen a similar rise, with 5,831 vacancies in March 2021 rising to 8,832 in March 2022.

The highest ever vacancy level was recorded in December 2021 with 9,619 care home job vacancies.

Vacancy levels have also increased in the home care sector. According to homecare.co.uk, the UK’s leading home care jobs site, the number of vacancies increased from 2,003 in March 2021 to 2,712 in March 2022.

Skills for Care state that during the pandemic, vacancy rates decreased with fewer jobs being available in other sectors and some care workers reporting they felt a loyalty to help the sector through the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.

However, since March 2021 when the wider economy began to open back up, fewer people are taking up roles in the sector (starters' rates are 4.2 percentage points lower) and more people are leaving (staff turnover rates are 4.9 percentage points higher).

The average number of sickness day over the previous 12 months has also recently started increasing to 9.7 days in March 2022, continuing a month-on-month rise since October 2021, when it stood at 8.2 days.

Ms Smyth added: “We must also see this as an opportunity to attract new people to build a career in care. We must focus on showcasing the rewards of building a long and fulfilling career in social care, and this is a core part of Skills for Care’s strategy over the next three years.”