Adult social care recruitment drive continues

The Department of Health and Social Care is launching the second phase of its campaign to get more people working in adult social care, with a specific focus on 20 to 39-year-olds.

The ‘When you care, every day makes a difference’ campaign, first launched in February, aims to help fill the 122,000 vacancies in adult social care by attracting new people with the right values to the sector and increasing interest in adult social care as a vocation.

A recent survey of 2,020 adults showed that people in England aged 18 to 34 are the most likely to consider applying for a job in adult social care, hence the target of 20 to 39-year-olds. In fact, the Department of Health and Social Care survey revealed that 64 per cent of 18 to 34 year olds would consider a career in adult social care, and over half of people in that age range would consider changing career for a job that helps or supports others.

It is currently estimated that 580,000 more workers will be needed by 2035 to deal with an ever-ageing population.

Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Care, said: “A career in adult social care offers the rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society – a sentiment 96 per cent of current care workers on the ground agree with. We have over a million brilliant people working in the sector, but we urgently need new talent to ensure we can continue to provide support for those who need it.

“I hope our ‘When you care, every day makes a difference’ campaign will draw more people with the right values to forge fulfilling careers and help them realise how diverse, worthwhile and often flexible jobs in social care can be. I urge anyone considering a career in care to apply today.”