Summary of Care Home Services with Nursing 2023 – Key Insights from Skills for Care Report
In a recent comprehensive overview provided by Skills for Care, significant data on the state of care home services with nursing spanning the 2022/23 period provides a mixed picture of challenges and gradual adaptations within the sector. Let’s delve into some of these key findings from the report.
Workforce Trends
The adult social care workforce experienced a slight recovery in the number of filled posts in the last year, increasing by 1% to 1.635 million after a previous decline. However, the sector still struggles with high vacancy rates, although these have shown signs of reduction from 10.6% to 9.9%. Specifically, care homes with nursing observed significant volatility: a 6% decrease in filled posts followed by a moderate recovery, yet with a troubling increase in vacancy rates which were only somewhat ameliorated in the last year.
Independence and Local Authority Differences
A notable difference exists between care homes operated by independent sectors versus those overseen by local authorities. Independent care homes witnessed a stabilization in terms of overall posts yet grappled with a marked increase in vacancies, with the vacancy rate peaking significantly higher than those maintained by local authorities. By August 2023, data showed the vacancy rates dipped to 5.4%, aligning back to pre-pandemic levels.
International Recruitment’s Impact
International recruitment has played a crucial role in addressing staff shortages. Care workers added to the Shortage Occupation List in early 2022 saw an influx of international personnel, which has incrementally benefitted the workforce, markedly so in care homes with nursing. Moreover, international recruits exhibited a 16.5% turnover rate, significantly lower than the 30.7% observed among domestically recruited employees.
Workforce Composition and Demographics
The sector accounts for approximately 275,000 roles, predominantly populated by a workforce that is 82% female with an average age of 43.9 years. Full-time roles constitute the majority, reflecting more stable employment conditions over the years. Interestingly, the turnover rate within care homes with nursing remains high at 34.9%, highlighting ongoing challenges in retention across the sector.
Pay Trends among Registered Nurses
The report outlines the financial trends affecting registered nurses, noting a 35% nominal increase in salaries since 2016/17. Despite nominal increments, real-term pay, adjusted for inflation, has seen a decline, affirming that economic pressures remain a concern for maintaining a well-compensated workforce.
Conclusions
With about 4,235 care homes with nursing registered with the CQC as of March 2023, witnessing a decline from previous years, the sector is evidently confronting serious staffing and operational hurdles. However, efforts to stabilize workforce numbers, bolstered by international recruitment and slight improvements in vacancy rates, provide a glimmer of hope for the future.
For stakeholders within the adult social care sector, maintaining a pulse on these trends is essential for strategic planning and ensuring the continuity of quality care services across England.
For more detailed analysis and bespoke workforce solutions, stakeholders are encouraged to connect with Skills for Care directly.
