The LGA has called for “immediate and decisive” action to tackle the adult social care workforce crisis, as a new report reveals huge challenges in recruiting and retaining staff.
The LGA report shows widespread staffing shortages, increasing reliance on costly agency workers, and growing financial pressures on councils. Most importantly, staffing shortages are having a profoundly negative impact on people who draw on care and support, leaving an enormous amount of unmet and under-met need across the country.
Findings from the LGA’s survey of councils include:
- a 16 per cent vacancy rate for full-time equivalent adult social care staff working in councils
- 87 per cent of councils surveyed reported difficulties recruiting qualified social workers in mental health services
- 55 per cent of councils said low wages were the primary reason staff were leaving
- an estimated £292 million was set to be spent on agency staff in 2023/24, up from £277 million the previous year.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The adult social care workforce is at breaking point.
“We are calling on the Government to work with councils on a fair pay agreement for care workers to attract and retain skilled professionals, implement a fully funded workforce strategy for the sector, and provide councils with the resources they need to reduce their reliance on costly agency staff.
“We are urging all political parties to put the national interest first and work together to secure the future of adult social care.”
