Anglea Boxall, Chief Executive at care home group Majesticare and newly appointed Chair of Care England, shares her thoughts on the current state of social care and hopes for the future.
Working in social care has been my lifelong passion, backed by 25 years of experience. The enthusiasm, dedication, and heartfelt commitment that ignited my career remain as strong as ever. Each day in social care presents a unique learning experience, offering the privilege of connecting with those supported by social care and the individuals supporting the sector in various roles.
Reflecting on my journey—from frontline worker to provider, an ambassador for Championing Social Care and now as Chair of Care England—I am more convinced than ever that this is a sector for life. Social care is where continuous learning and personal growth thrive, where individuals bring not only their skills but also their compassion to work every day. The unique combination of professional and personal fulfillment is a rarity in other sectors. So why is it not a top career choice?
In my role at Care England, my mission is clear: to elevate social care as a celebrated profession. Often overlooked are the diverse career paths available, from frontline care to roles in HR, finance, and leadership. However, challenges persist, particularly in attracting talent and combating negative perceptions.
The overarching concern is how to shine a light on this incredible sector, attracting the stars of tomorrow. The workforce serves as the backbone of social care, but funding constraints, migration laws, and negative public perception, particularly as a career choice, continue to pose significant hurdles. Inadequate funding leaves many providers struggling to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive training and development programs. Initiatives to improve wellbeing, such as sick pay, healthcare benefits, and mental health support, become challenging to implement, leading to real concerns about mental health and burnout within the sector.
Rising living costs sadly force many individuals to reconsider their careers in care, leading to a loss of passionate talent who would have become the leaders of tomorrow. Engaging younger generations and increasing volunteer participation is essential to cultivating a skilled and diverse workforce to meet the growing demands of the sector.
The sector needs to increase the number of volunteers, as they play a huge role within our communities. Linking with the local community is so important to social care and for those living and working within the sector. Very often the local community serves as your best marketing tool, especially for the workforce. It is imperative to create links with schools and colleges to improve awareness and perception, among the younger generations, to attract and encourage them to enter the care sector as a career choice.
Recruitment, trends, and policies create additional hurdles for overseas workers making it harder for them to support the sector and establish long-term careers, exacerbating further strain on the sector. The looming shortage of skilled workers threatens to compromise the quality of care provided to those who need it most.
As we navigate these challenges, it becomes imperative to address funding gaps, advocate for more supportive migration policies, and actively work to reshape the public perception of social care. It is only through collective efforts that we can secure a sustainable future for social care, where passionate individuals, both local and overseas, can thrive and contribute to the wellbeing of our society. Collaboration with organisations like Care England and Championing Social Care is essential. Despite challenges, the journey ahead promises a vibrant and valued social care sector, rewarding efforts with a thriving community and societal well-being.
@majesticare @CareEngland
majesticare.co.uk careengland.org.uk
