Embargoed until 00.01 Tuesday, 29 July 2025
The Homecare Association welcomes the latest Skills for Care workforce data showing overall social care vacancy rates returning to pre-COVID-19 levels but warns persistent pressures in homecare threaten the sector’s ability to meet rising demand.
While the average vacancy rate across adult social care has fallen to 7%, down from a peak of 10.5% in 2021/22, the rate for homecare remains disproportionately high at 10.1%. This is more than double that of residential care (4.1%) and residential care with nursing (4.7%).
The report shows international recruitment fell dramatically from 105,000 new arrivals starting direct care roles in 2023/24 to just 50,000 in 2024/25. A 52% decrease that coincides with tightened immigration rules, starting with the genuine vacancy test introduced in Autumn 2024, with further changes announced in March 2025.
Dr Jane Townson OBE, Chief Executive of the Homecare Association, said:
“On the surface, vacancy rates are improving but dig deeper and the picture is far more alarming. International recruitment has collapsed, recruitment of British workers is harder than ever, and we are sleepwalking into future workforce shortages unless the government acts now.”
The report estimates that 470,000 additional care roles will be needed by 2040 to meet population demand. Yet the Government has not brought forward a funded workforce strategy to match the scale of this challenge.
“Providers want to offer better pay and conditions and stand ready to implement a Fair Pay Agreement with the hope it improves recruitment and retention. However, without meaningful investment from the government, they simply cannot do so. It’s not a question of will; it’s a question of funding.”
As the Government progresses work on the 10-Year Plan for the NHS and sets out plans to shift more care into the community, the Homecare Association warns ambitions will remain out of reach without urgent action on workforce sustainability.
Dr Townson OBE added:
“If Ministers are serious about delivering more care at home and reducing pressure on the NHS, they must walk the talk. That means a fully funded workforce strategy for social care, with fair pay at its core. Without it, the system will fail the very people it’s meant to support.”
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