Social care sector unites to warn of an impending workforce crisis and raise the perception of care

A host of influential social care organisations have united to warn Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt of an impending workforce crisis and the dire need to improve the public perception of social care.

• ​​78% of people unlikely to consider beginning a career in social care, with 22% saying it is not valued by government 
• 71% of parents wouldn’t encourage their children into a social care career
• 67% think a career in social care is undervalued by society
• 35% think working in a care home is associated with being a ‘woman’s’ career’
• Predicted shortfall of 1.1m social care workers by 2037 (1)

In a joint letter sent today, Anchor, Care England and United for All Ages urge the government to demonstrate it values social care and improve the perception of the sector, so as to avoid the predicted shortfall of up to 1.1 million care workers by 2037.

New research commissioned by Anchor, care and housing charity for older people, has revealed that 78% of people say they would not like to begin a career in the adult social care sector, and 71% of parents would not encourage their children to think of it as a career worth pursuing. More than a fifth (22%) of people say the work is not valued by government, while 67% think a career in social care is undervalued by society. The majority think people in the UK value nurses, doctors, firefighters, police and celebrities more than someone working in a care home. 

Further adding to the workforce crisis is the lack of men working in care and outdated notions around male and female careers. Men make up just 18% of the social care workforce and a staggering 85% of men said they wouldn’t consider a career in the sector. Anchor’s research also found 35% of people think that working in a care home is associated with being a ‘woman’s’ career’.

The social care cohort has urged Jeremy Hunt to lead by example to change public perceptions by valuing social care and the indispensable contribution that the workforce makes to society. Recommendations include a public awareness campaign to raise the profile of care, sustainable funding, a commitment to training and progression, and recognition of the essential service provided by the sector’s dedicated workforce.

The campaign follows the disappointing news that the long-awaited social care Green Paper has been delayed until the autumn.

Jane Ashcroft CBE, Chief Executive of Anchor, says: “We know the hugely positive impact carers have on the lives of the most vulnerable people in society and how rewarding a career in care is. That is why 83% of our colleagues say their jobs offer personal fulfilment. But the perception of social care among the government and the public is shockingly low and must change if we are to avoid a shortfall in the carers needed to provide today’s older people and future generations with the care they need and deserve.” 

Jarred Stansfield, 21 year old Care Assistant at Anchor’s Heathside care home, says: “Working in a care home is an incredibly fulfilling and important job, yet it is not valued by wider society and carers often feel let down by the actions of successive governments.  The government must help change the perception of the care sector and encourage more people, especially men, to think about a rewarding career in care. The fact that so many young men disregard the opportunities a job in care can offer means they are missing out on a potentially great career.”

The joint letter, sent to Jeremy Hunt today, can be read here.

(1) Independent Age (2016),  https://www.independentage.org/policy-and-research/research-reports/brexit-and-future-of-migrants-social-care-workforce