ADASS responds to Skills for Care’s size and structure report 2025

Responding to the latest Skills for Care size and structure report, ADASS CEO Sally Burlington, said:

“It’s good news there are more people providing care and support to older and disabled adults, mainly thanks to people coming from abroad to fill these positions.

“But with this trend likely to reverse as the care visa route ends, combined with a decline in British people taking up roles, it remains an urgent priority to improve pay and conditions for care workers to attract new talent and retain people throughout their careers. This should start with the Government publishing details of the promised fair pay agreement, which it must commit to fully funding, or risk destabilising councils and care providers to the detriment of the health and wellbeing of those of us who draw on care and support.

“Our latest survey shows care workers increasingly being asked to carry out health tasks that would normally have been covered by NHS staff, which are often not properly funded.  With plans for social care workers to take on greater health responsibilities to drive forward the shift from hospital to community, we encourage the Government to back the Skills for Care workforce strategy, to ensure we develop a workforce which is properly valued and with the skills needed for today and in the future.”