The National Care Forum (NCF) and the Aged Care Channel (ACC) share a common vision, which is to change media headlines in relation to the adult social care sector workforce.
As reported by the Guardian in 2016, a Skills for Care report suggested that an estimated 340,000 social care employees leave their jobs each year. On average, in care homes there are about 2,800 unfilled manager jobs at any one time while, despite concerted recruitment drives, vacancy rates for social workers in the statutory sector have jumped from 7.3 per cent in 2012 to 11 per cent in 2016, and turnover rates continue to climb.
Recruiting, retaining and developing a valued workforce requires a multi-faceted approach and successful collaboration with similarly aligned organisations is key.
“NCF is delighted to work in partnership with ACC to promote the strong message that quality learning and development is an essential component of a thriving social care sector,“ says Vic Rayner, NCF executive director.
“Staff are the number one resource for providers of social care and it is critical that organisations invest in the right learning and development for their teams. ACC bring together its skills and experience of interactive learning with the knowledge and expertise of its membership to create unique and up-to-date resources to promote best practice in the delivery of social care.“
ACC is a Skills for Care endorsed Centre of Excellence education and learning provider, supporting outstanding approaches to learning and development in the care industry.
Bruce Adams, sales and support director at ACC says: “The National Care Forum and ACC share members who are taking innovative approaches to learning and development. Supporting the work of NCF was a natural association for us. We look forward to sharing our members’ stories to help fellow NCF members further develop outstanding education for their staff."
Adams adds: “Our goal is to promote the ongoing development and retention of the social care workforce so people choose a long term career in this vibrant and rewarding industry. Ultimately, the outcome will be outstanding care."
