The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling on the government to take immediate and decisive action to tackle the adult social care workforce crisis, as a report revealed huge challenges in recruiting and retaining staff.

It shows widespread staffing shortages, increasing reliance on costly agency workers, and growing financial pressures on councils.

The report also suggested that staffing shortages have a profoundly negative impact on people who draw on care and support, leaving an enormous amount of unmet and under met need across the country.

The survey of councils found as of October 2023, there were an estimated 63,370 full-time equivalent (FTE) adult social care staff working in local councils, with 10,060 vacant posts—a vacancy rate of 16 per cent.

According to the LGA, the hardest roles to fill were qualified social workers in mental health services, with 87 per cent of councils reporting recruitment difficulties.

Pay also remains a major issue, with 55 per cent of councils saying low wages were the primary reason staff were leaving.

Cllr David Fothergill, chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The adult social care workforce plays an essential role in supporting people of all ages to live full, independent lives. But this sector is at breaking point, with vacancies, turnover, and low pay creating growing pressures that have led to a significant amount of unmet and under-met need.

“Without urgent intervention, councils will struggle to meet their legal duties to people who draw on care. We are calling on the government to work quickly and closely with councils on a fair pay agreement for care workers to attract and retain skilled professionals, implementing a fully funded workforce strategy for the sector, and providing councils with the resources they need to reduce their reliance on costly agency staff.

This is vital for building a sustainable adult social care workforce that can continue to provide high-quality care. This workforce crisis requires urgent attention and cross-party collaboration. We are urging all political parties to put the national interest first and work together to secure the future of adult social care.”