A third of UK jobseekers would consider working in social care after the Covid pandemic raised public perception of the sector, according to research by Totaljobs and the Work Foundation.
Their report, Social care: a guide to attracting and retaining a thriving workforce, found 53 per cent surveyed said they now have a more positive view of social care with 26 per cent noting Clap for Carers as an influence.
However, the report also found misunderstandings around the realities of a social care career could result in a high churn of potential new hires.
The report found 14 per cent are looking to leave the industry altogether, meaning the sector is losing talented, caring people while still recovering from the impact of Covid-19 on staff and their clients.
Some 37 per cent of existing social care staff are said to be looking for a new role in the search for higher salaries, better progression, less stressful work and the need to feel more valued.
A lack of career progression is one key factor driving social care workers to look for a new role. Around half (49 per cent) of care workers said more opportunities for progression would encourage them to stay in the sector.
Off the back of this research, Totaljobs and the Work Foundation is recommending employers highlight the training opportunities and range of qualifications on offer to enable candidates to see care as a long-term career path.
It also recommends care providers adopt a values-based approach to recruiting at entry level, such as using scenario-based interviews, or group assessment days that bring out the ‘people facing’ aspects of working in care.
In addition, employers should ensure staff feel valued in their day-to-day, through building stronger relationships between managers and carers, providing robust mental wellbeing and stress support, and creating clearer routes to progression.
The report also calls on the government must deliver on its commitment to produce a long-term strategy for adult social care “that takes into account pay and progression in the sector”.
“Social care sector bodies and regulators should coordinate with central government and national governments to create a sector-wide, long-term strategy for workforce development including creating a continuing professional development framework well supported by funding,” it added.
