New report highlights ‘fragile progress’ for the adult social care workforce

Responding to the Skills for Care report, 'The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England', Director of Policy and Research at the Health Foundation, Hugh Alderwick, said:

‘The Skills for Care report paints a mixed picture for social care. The care workforce is growing and vacancies are falling, but vacancy rates are still around three times higher than in the wider economy and recent progress is fragile. The continuing decline in the number of British workers poses a major challenge given the government's decision to end international recruitment of care workers.

'Poor pay and conditions contribute to chronic workforce challenges in the sector and have an impact on people’s care. Today’s data show fewer care staff are getting the training and qualifications they need, and most of their employers don’t offer enhanced sick pay or pension contributions above the legal minimum. In March 2025, median hourly pay for care workers was 56p above the National Living Wage. Our analysis finds that 1 in 5 residential care workers live in poverty.

‘The government’s Employment Rights Bill and the planned Fair Pay Agreement for social care offer a vital opportunity to tackle these issues. If backed by investment from government and care providers, these measures could help improve the lives of the 1.5 million people employed in social care and the people they care for.’

Notes to editors

1. The government’s Employment Rights Bill supports the creation of an adult social care negotiating body, made up of worker and employer representatives who can negotiate Fair Pay Agreements on improved pay and other employment terms – such as pensions, sick pay and leave entitlements – for the whole direct care workforce.
2. The government recently announced £500 million funding for the first Fair Pay Agreement in social care in England. Our analysis suggests £2.3 billion would be required in 2028/29 to increase pay to the level of clinical support workers and administrative workers in the NHS (Agenda for Change Upper Band 3).

Media contact

Jessica Clinkett
jessica.clinkett@health.org.uk
020 7664 4647