Exploring the State of Care Homes Without Nursing in 2022/23: Insights from Skills for Care

The adult social care sector, a critical component of health and social care in England, continues to navigate staffing challenges amidst evolving demographic and economic landscapes. The latest report from Skills for Care offers a comprehensive overview of the state of care homes without nursing for the year 2022/23, presenting key workforce statistics and trends that stakeholders should be aware of.

Key Workforce Trends and Statistics:

• Workforce Size and Vacancies: The sector experienced fluctuations in the number of filled posts, from 1.68 million in 2020/21 to 1.615 million in 2021/22, marking a 4% decrease. However, a slight recovery was noted in 2022/23 with an increase to 1.635 million filled posts. Vacancies surged from 109,000 in 2020/21 to 164,000 in 2021/22 but saw a reduction to 152,000 (9.9% vacancy rate) in 2022/23. Specifically, in independent sector care homes without nursing, filled posts decreased by 4%, and vacancies increased by 73% between 2020/21 and 2021/22, before a slight recovery in the subsequent year.
• International Recruitment: A noteworthy shift in the workforce composition has been the increase in international recruitment, particularly after care workers were added to the Shortage Occupation List in February 2022. This change has brought an estimated 70,000 international recruits into adult social care roles across all services in 2022/23, of which approximately 10,000 were in non-nursing care homes.
• Staff Turnover and Retention: Care homes without nursing witnessed a turnover rate of 27.4%, which is lower than in nursing care homes but still represents a significant challenge for the sector. The report indicates that international recruits are less likely to leave their positions compared to their domestically recruited counterparts.
• Demographics and Employment Patterns: The workforce in these care homes is predominantly female (83%) and employed on a full-time basis (55%). The demographic profile and employment conditions have remained relatively stable over the years, with a slight increase in the use of zero-hours contracts.
• Pay Rates: The mean nominal hourly rate for care workers has consistently risen, reaching £10.08 in 2022/23. However, when adjusted for inflation, real-term pay has actually decreased by 5% between 2020/21 and 2022/23, underlining the growing cost-of-living pressures on the workforce.

Conclusion:

The adult social care sector, particularly care homes without nursing, is at a crucial juncture. While there are signs of post-pandemic recovery in workforce numbers, ongoing challenges such as high vacancy rates, turnover, and real-term pay decreases underline the need for sustained support and strategic interventions to ensure the sector’s resilience and effectiveness. Skills for Care’s comprehensive report sheds light on these issues, offering valuable insights for policymakers, providers, and stakeholders aiming to navigate and improve the complex landscape of adult social care in England.

For more detailed information, insights, and the full report, visit Skills for Care’s website.