Jane Brightman, Director of Workforce Development at Skills for Care, shares how the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care is Supporting Learning and Development
We recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England. It was a time to reflect on the great work that has come from the Strategy so far and to think about what comes next.
I’m delighted to share that since the Strategy launched in 2024, 50% of the 56 recommendations are either completed or currently in progress. This Strategy is a pivotal step forward in developing the workforce of the future—ensuring we have social care professionals with the right skills to meet the growing and changing care needs of our communities.
One of the key strands of the Strategy is ‘Train’, with recommendations and commitments specifically focused on building consistent, lifelong learning and development opportunities across the sector. Over the past year, we’ve seen some exciting progress in this area.
This includes development of the Care Workforce Pathway, which maps clear routes for progression to support a long-term career in care. Following early adoption last year, a further 90 organisations are now pioneering the Pathway in its next phase of rollout. A new programme for aspiring Directors of Adult Social Services has also been launched by Skills for Care in collaboration with ADASS, while the National Care Forum is piloting a new Care Technologist role—an initiative that has the potential to unlock greater digital innovation across the sector.
For registered nursing staff, the Strategy has already led to tangible changes. The ‘Small but Mighty’ programme has funded a new preceptorship support package for newly-registered nurses and nursing associates working in social care—helping providers develop structured, consistent preceptorship where this hasn’t previously existed. The recently published ‘Social care as a placement of choice’ strategy is another important development, helping to make social care a valued part of nursing students’ education experience.
The Care Certificate remains a foundation for learning and development, but our focus is now on formalising and expanding opportunities. The new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification will set a baseline standard for practice, reduce the need for repeat training, and provide recognition for care as a skilled profession. It will support both new entrants and experienced staff, offering a route to upskill and gain formal accreditation for their contribution. The qualification is approved for funding via the Learning and Development Support Scheme.
Beyond this, we’re progressing key priorities such as funding for delegated healthcare activities, investment in new skills, reform of social care apprenticeships, and support for social workers and occupational therapists. Together, these initiatives are laying the foundation for a better-supported, better-trained, and more sustainable social care workforce.
We are also seeing strong momentum from providers across the country, many of whom are actively contributing to the Strategy through innovation, leadership, and advocacy. To date, 409 individuals, organisations, and groups have signed up to become Workforce Strategy Champions—sharing its messages, advocating for investment in workforce development, and helping to embed the Strategy at local and national levels.
The Workforce Strategy is a 15-year vision—but its success will depend on continued energy, commitment, and collective action. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to champion this work—not just this year, but next year and far beyond.
