New Strategy Aims To Boost Social Care Workforce

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has unveiled a new strategy to develop a sustainable social care workforce in Northern Ireland.

The Social Care Workforce Strategy 2025-2035 aims to attract, grow, retain, and develop the more than 40,500 social care practitioners.

The strategy includes the launch of the Care in Practice Framework, which sets out career progression and learning pathways for social care workers.

The Minister said: "This strategy is about ensuring that the future of social care in Northern Ireland is built on a strong foundation, with a workforce that is respected, supported and empowered to provide the highest standards of care.

"I am committed to making social care an attractive and rewarding career for all and I want our social care workforce to have the recognition, tools, and support they need to thrive.

"This strategy provides the building blocks to do just that, and launching the Care in Practice Framework alongside the strategy represents our commitment and progress to getting things done."

The strategy sets out seven key priorities and actions that will be implemented over the next 10 years, including:

• Make social care a more attractive career choice;

• Do more to make social care practitioners feel valued, supported and recognised as skilled and respected workers within the HSC family;

• Create a learning culture in which social care practitioners will have access to qualifications and opportunities to develop and progress;

• Develop a strong community of capable, confident and compassionate social care leaders;

• Strengthen the workforce through effective strategic workforce planning;

• Strengthen the workforce through enhanced digital capabilities;

• Extend regulation of the social care workforce.

The strategy was launched at an event in Parliament Buildings attended by social care practitioners, employers, those who use services and representatives from statutory bodies. Aine Morrison, Department of Health Chief Social Worker, said: "This first ever strategy specifically for social care staff is a landmark step in recognising the vital and diverse roles that social care practitioners play.

"It provides a clear framework for recruiting, supporting and retaining a skilled and compassionate workforce, ensuring that social care can meet the evolving needs of individuals, families and carers who need care and support."

Declan McAllister, Northern Ireland Social Care Council Interim Chief Executive, welcomed the strategy as a pivotal moment for the social care sector.

"The Northern Ireland Social Care Council welcomes the Department's decision to launch its first Social Care Workforce Strategy. The opportunities it presents for the social care workforce cannot be overstated.

"We have an opportunity through it to formally recognise the social care workforce's development and learning and value them in a way we never have before. The recommendations outlined will support social care practitioners to thrive and grow professionally, with the hope of inspiring the next generation to choose social care as a career for life, where they can develop to be the best that they can be.

"Progress has already been made though the launch of the Care in Practice Framework, with very positive feedback from those who have already completed the new Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice. We hope that in the coming months we can work with the Department of Health and social care sector partners, to shape how the delivery of this strategy is taken forward."

The Minister added: "I see the publication of this strategy as bursting with opportunities.

"I am confident that by working together we will transform social care for the better, creating a workforce that is ready for the challenges and opportunities of the next decade and in doing so will deliver better outcomes for those who use services."