The social care worker of the future will be regulated, registered, better qualified and more valued, Lynne Berry of the General Social Care Council, told delegates to the Community Care Live conference.
The Chief Executive of the social care workforce regulator in England was speaking at the first major event since the Social Care Register was opened in April:
“The demands on social care workers to deliver a better service and to be responsive to people’s needs have never been higher. And in less than a year, we have received over three-quarters of a million requests for the codes of practice for social care workers and employers. This is just one sign that positive change is well underway and that the sector will rise to the challenge of the future social care worker”.
Setting out in detail the characteristics of the future social care workforce, Ms Berry said it would be:
Regulated and accountable
“The opening of the Social Care Register is a major milestone for the sector, supported by both the public and the workforce. It will ensure workers are appropriately qualified, fit to be in the workforce and will abide by the codes of practice. If registered workers fall short of the standards expected of them, they will be held to account for this.”
Qualified
“The future of the workforce is dependent on high-quality education and training, attracting the brightest and the best in social work. The new degree, supported by a non-means tested bursary, will attract a new generation into social work. They will qualify better prepared than ever before for the challenges of the workplace. Supported by their employers, they will be able to keep their skills up-to-date. Requirements for re-registration and a modern and effective framework for post-qualifying training will embed a culture of lifelong learning.”
Working across boundaries
“Lord Laming’s report following the Victoria Climbié Inquiry stressed the need for professionals to work closely together, breaking down the boundaries that hampered mutual understanding and team working. Effective training is essential here. The GSCC has been asked to chair a project, with membership drawn from the medical professions, teaching and the police. Work is well underway with initial findings from academic research already being considered by the Department of Health.”
In conclusion, she said “The social care world is changing fast. With the introduction of the codes, the opening of the register and the launch of the new degree, we are seeing some of the most significant developments in the sector’s 30 year history. As well as driving up standards of care, these changes have the potential to increase public confidence in the sector, creating a more trusted and valued workforce of the future”.