Care England calls for action to ease nurse shortage

Care England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, has voiced concerns about the significant workforce pressures in the social care sector. 

In its response to the consultation on the Shortage Occupation Lists Review 2018, Care England highlighted the growing reliance on both EU and non EU nationals to fill vacancies.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said: “We are appealing to the Migration Advisory Committee to continue to include registered nurses on the Shortage Occupation Lists. It is imperative that the newly created nursing associate role as well as direct care staff and registered managers are on the lists in order to stem the workforce shortages.”

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In its latest analysis of the social care workforce, Skills for Care last year revealed around 110,000 vacancies in the sector, a 19% increase on the previous year (see Adult social care job vacancies rise to 110,000 in England).

The report showed that EU nationals accounted for 8% of the workforce (104,000 jobs) and non-EU nationals 10% (130,000 jobs).

Care England said social care providers were finding it hard to recruit and retain registered nurses and also highlighted a shortage of care workers and registered managers.