Care Shortage: More than 25% of care workers over 55, may retire within a decade.

Care Shortage: More than 25% of care workers over 55, may retire within a decade.

According to Skills for Care, care worker vacancy rates are twice as high as the national average at only 11%. New figures have also revealed a care worker decrease across the UK for the first time, leaving families short of much-needed support. In the past year, empty roles looking to be fulfilled have risen by 52%. These figures refer to staff both within care homes and those supporting clients in their own homes.

It has been suggested that the problem is due to both recruiting and employing care workers, but notably also that the demand for care has increased largely. This is due to our ageing population, and estimated that approximately 480,000 posts will be needed by 2035. 

Skills for Care chief executive Oonagh Smyth is demanding for “a step change” regarding how we value social care in our society. This includes measures like better average pay for workers, better terms, conditions and working benefits, alongside more career progression. This will “make it easier for the people who love working in social care to stay”.