Brook Street calls for social care overhaul to tackle staff shortages

Brook Street has launched a campaign calling for changes to pay, career paths, leadership and professional recognition in social care.

It stated that recruitment shortages, staff retention and financial pressures continued to affect care providers.

Its whitepaper called for a sector-wide rebranding programme, a fully funded Fair Pay Agreement and a national career and leadership framework.

It also proposed a digital inclusion strategy for workers, updated regulation and greater stability around visas and immigration.

Teresa Wilson, operations director at Brook Street Social Care, said: “Social care has an identity crisis. 

“It is hugely misunderstood, not only in terms of the breadth of what the sector does, but also the opportunities available for a rewarding and fulfilling career. 

“If these issues aren’t addressed, then there simply won’t be enough people to meet the demands of the sector.”

Wilson added: “In England there are 111,000 vacancies in adult social care alone. At the same time, there are deep-rooted youth unemployment issues in the UK.