A pivotal moment for social care – and nursing’s role is crucial

A Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care marks a significant shift and is an opportunity to attract and retain staff, as well as to transform the sector

A Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England is a pivotal moment for the social care sector. It is not only an opportunity to attract, retain and train staff, but also for how we transform the structure of social care itself and how we work and educate people.

Social care nursing is at the heart of this vision, playing an increasingly crucial role in the strategy’s ambitious goals. Along with other regulated professional roles, nursing will be vital in shaping the future of social care.

‘The strategy emphasises the importance of creating attractive career pathways in the sector’

For the first time we are seeing a national strategy. While Skills for Care has taken the lead, the strategy is owned by the sector and brings together key stakeholders from across the system. The strategy stands firmly alongside the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

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The strategy is grounded in the realities of our changing population, recognising that people are living longer and that the number of older people is set to rise in the next decade. With more people choosing to receive care close to home, the role of nursing professionals will become increasingly vital.

As they navigate health promotion, prevention and the complex clinical aspects of care, their nursing expertise will have a profound effect on improving outcomes and enhancing the experience of those drawing on care and support.

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Read the strategy and discuss it in your workplace

To attract and retain our nursing workforce, the strategy emphasises the importance of creating attractive career pathways in the sector. This includes valuing and expanding social care placement opportunities, supporting preceptorship for early career nurses and nursing associates, and using apprenticeships to develop nursing specialists, educators, advanced practitioners and consultant nurses.

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The value of these roles in older people’s care is as vital as in any other setting. The strategy highlights that providing relevant continuing professional development opportunities and access to high-quality clinical supervision is crucial for retaining and developing this workforce, as well as moving towards a more integrated health and care system that works for the people who draw on it.

Read the strategy, discuss it in your workplace, and let us unite as a nursing profession to explore how we can enhance the experiences and outcomes for older people in our care.

Lucy Gillespie is a registered nurse and national professional lead for the regulated professional workforce at Skills for Care