Developing a new role for 21st century care

The general policy direction of ensuring more people are cared for out of hospital, combined with the growing number of older people with complex care and support needs, means we need to review how we support these people appropriately, whether at home or in care settings. There are difficulties in both recruiting and retaining nurses in adult social care, resulting in high rates of turnover compared with turn over levels in health care settings. The age profile of the nurse workforce in the  adult social care sector is also ageing meaning nurses retiring in the coming years will add to the turnover figures of registered nurses in social care.

The Five Nations Care Forum wants to see –

  • Positive messages on, and the development of, career opportunities in the adult social care sector including the consideration of new roles to respond to the increasing complexity of people in care services.
  • A recognition of the work done by nurses in this sector and the importance of them in supporting people to live good lives in their local communities
  • Funding for social care that allows parity of pay and terms and conditions for nurses working in Adult Social Care as work in the health sector
  • Increased nurse student places with an emphasis on placements within the independent  Adults Social Care sector
  • The continuation of nurses on the Migration Advisory Committee Shortage Occupation List (SOL) with the nurse in social care designated as a specific role.
  • Recognition of the increasing need for a skilled workforce, and a review of the application of the language test for international nurse recruitment.