The release of the All-Party Group on Skills: Social Care Investigation Report has been welcomed by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) as a step in the right direction for the social care sector.
The landmark report published today, was based on evidence from experts and organisations from across social care, and across sectors, in Northern Ireland. From this evidence the report captures prevalent issues and themes that are emerging and is calling for reforms to address barriers and opportunities to develop the skills of the social care workforce, whilst validating the social care sector’s immense contribution to the NI Economy.
The report includes seven recommendations, including cross-departmental action, to improve skills in the social care workforce. Specifically, it recommended:
- Greater protections for social care practitioners completing induction, training, and learning related to continuous professional learning.
- Commissioning frameworks require reform to ensure equitable support for professional growth in all sectors.
- Access to role-specific training (e.g. dementia, palliative care) must be prioritised to address growing demand and workforce retention.
- Reframe social care’s economic value by promoting its £1.5 billion contribution and £2.82 societal return per £1 spent via public campaigns.
- Embed career pathways in schools, apprenticeships, and careers services.
- Prioritise social care in skills strategies as a key growth sector.
- Lead workforce planning to mandate service and role relevant training and sustainable service delivery.
- Aligning with the Good Jobs Agenda and Care in Practice Framework, to ensure social care is recognised as essential infrastructure for a healthier, fairer, and economically resilient Northern Ireland.
As a participant in the All-Party Group Declan McAllister, Interim Chief Executive for the Social Care Council believes the report captures what can be achieved by improving cross-department, and cross sector skills collaboration.
“We welcome the release of this report as an important step in acknowledging the value, contribution and potential of the social care workforce. Its recommendations are heading in the right direction to ensure social care as a career of choice is respected and supported. The social care workforce continues to grow in number, in the complexity of the care it delivers and in its financial contribution to our economy. This report goes someway to making that impact visible to ensure this workforce develops to meet the needs of the NI community.”
Want to know more?
To view the full All-Party Group on Skills: Social Care Investigation Report ‘A People First Approach for Skills for Social care’, please click here.
For more information:
Rita McCullagh, Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement
Rita.mccullagh@niscc.hscni.net
07591 447804