Responding to the latest Skills for Care ‘state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report, RCN Head of Independent Health and Social Care Claire Sutton said:
“This report shows that investment in social care is money well spent. Done right, it ensures people get the care they need, easing pressures on hospitals and creating jobs in local communities. But while there has been a small increase in the number of registered nurses working in the sector, high rates of turnover, an ageing workforce, and a decline in skilled staff are major causes for concern.
“With care set to become ever more complex and the sector projected to need nearly half a million new posts in the next 15 years to keep up with demand, the scale of the challenge for government is clear. To deliver its ambition to shift care out of hospital we need a fully funded plan to grow the domestic social care workforce. That will have to include better pay, improved contracts and more access to training.
“Ministers must also end their pursuit of hostile immigration policies, including closing the care worker visa. Not only is this making things worse in the here and now, but its impact on the future growth needs of the workforce will be devastating unless there is a dramatic improvement in domestic supply.”
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Notes to editors
Skills for Care - The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England – October 2025
