Looking ahead to the future of your service, what are the core skills your workforce will need going into 2027?
As you know, the health and social care sector continues to face significant workforce challenges. Vacancy rates remain high and are expected to remain a challenge next year. Because of this, leaders in care can no longer view staff retention as a secondary consideration.
Taking advantage of national career frameworks, such as the Care Workforce Pathway (CWP), can help support both your organisation and your employees throughout the year.
The CWP establishes a clear pathway for talented staff to see a professional future within the sector, providing opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence as their careers progress.
Developing the Workforce You Already Have
When discussing workforce challenges, conversations often focus on recruitment. However, retaining and developing existing employees can be just as important.
Many care professionals want to continue learning and progressing, but they may not always know what opportunities are available to them or what the next step in their career could look like.
Providing clear development opportunities can help employees feel valued, supported and invested in the future of the organisation. It can also help services build a stronger pipeline of experienced and capable staff for the years ahead.
Skills for the Future
The demands placed on health and social care services continue to evolve.
Alongside technical knowledge and mandatory training requirements, many organisations are looking to strengthen skills such as:
- Leadership and decision-making
- Communication and relationship building
- Person-centred care and support
- Managing complex needs
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Positive risk-taking and safeguarding
- Coaching and supporting colleagues
- Confidence when working across changing environments
Developing these skills can help create a more resilient workforce and prepare staff for future responsibilities.
Understanding the Care Workforce Pathway
The Care Workforce Pathway has been designed to support career progression across adult social care.
It includes eight role categories, ranging from entry-level positions such as New to Care and Personal Assistant, through to supervisory and leadership roles including Deputy Manager and Registered Manager.
The framework helps organisations identify the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours expected at different stages of a care career, providing a clearer route for progression and development.
Currently, Halo Staffing have published the New to Care and Personal Assistant pathways, with potential for additional pathways to be created.
The workforce your organisation will need in 2027 is being developed today. By supporting career progression, investing in training and providing clear development pathways, organisations can help build a more confident, capable and committed workforce.
To explore the Care Workforce Pathway programmes currently available through Halo Staffing Training, click the relevant buttons below.
