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Social care: a guide to attracting and retaining a thriving workforce
- Authors:
- WORK FOUNDATION, TOTALJOBS
- Publisher:
- Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
A guide to tackling workforce challenges in adult social care, based on output from a mixed-methods approach, including: an evidence review, semi-structured interviews with policy stakeholders and employers; and two surveys – a carers survey and a candidate survey. The sector faces long-standing challenges which have been made more acute by the pandemic and recent changes to immigration policy. From attracting individuals with the right qualities to retaining skilled staff and developing routes to progression, care providers are struggling to build and sustain their workforce. The guide aims to support care providers navigating these challenges, highlighting key insights from our research and offering recommendations for employers and government to create long-term solutions for a thriving workforce. The research findings show that a third (31%) of jobseekers are considering a career in care; younger candidates are most likely to be planning to pursue careers in care, with one in four (25%) 16–25-year-olds expecting to pursue a career in the sector in the near future; analysis of Totaljobs candidates found that the number of people applying for social care roles has increased by 39% between 2019 and 2021, with 56% of new starters in care joining from other sectors. The report makes a number of recommendations, including: create opportunities for young people to build an understanding of care work; adopt a values-based approach to recruiting care workers, for example through using scenario-based questions, or group assessment days; consult with their workforce to understand the rewards and benefits they would value most, and use this insight to develop a benefits package that aligns with staff preferences; social care sector bodies and regulators should coordinate with central Government and national governments to create a sector-wide, long-term strategy for workforce development including creating a Continuing Professional Development Framework well supported by funding. (Edited publisher abstract)
Who cares? The implications of informal care and work for policy makers and employers
- Authors:
- CHANDLER James, STEADMAN Karen, CAREY Heather
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- London
Outlines some of the implications associated with the growing number of informal carers in the UK, the health and social care system's increasingly unsustainable reliance on them, and what Government and employers can do about it. The report is informed by the academic and grey literature, as well as views from a workshop attended by over 30 stakeholders from government and non-government bodies, individual carers, carers charities, think tanks, and businesses. The report looks at the increase in the number of informal carers in the UK, the financial and health implications of caring, and the challenge for policy makers and employers as carers become an increasing percentage of an ageing workforce. The report makes recommendations for Government, policymakers and business. The recommendations offer practical guidance on how to improve employment outcomes for carers, and which will also help to tackle the financial and health problems carers face. The recommendations focus on four themes: workplace flexibility; statutory leave; workplace support; and returning to work. (Edited publisher abstract)
Helping employers support their working carers: findings and recommendations
- Authors:
- WORK FOUNDATION, SIMPLYHEALTH
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- London
Outlines the results of a workshop to consider the challenges facing working carers and identify ways they can be supported to enter, return to, remain and progress in work. It also sets out the business case for supporting working carers and the benefits for the individual carer and from a political and social perspective. The event was attended by 25 expert stakeholders from 17 organisations across the public, private and third sectors. Participants generally agreed that it would be in the best interest of employers, employees, the Government and the economy if solutions could focus on enabling working carers to remain in the workplace makers. The report makes a number of recommendations for employees, employers and policy makers. These include for: employers to introduce carer champions to raise awareness of working carers; set up peer groups and support forums where carers could share experience; train managers on how to identify and support carers; and commit to flexible remote working. It also calls for the introduction of dedicated carers’ employment rights, (Edited publisher abstract)
Addressing the health obstacles to employability: a mid-term evaluation of the Bridging the Gap programme
- Author:
- SHELHABI Ala'a
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 40
- Place of publication:
- London
An evaluation of the Bridging the Gap programme, a Department of Health initiative which aims to support the integration of health and employment services and support people with long term health conditions to move towards employment. Bridging the Gap is a model of person-centred ‘social prescribing’ which links people with appropriate sources of support across sectors, including within the community. The evaluation covers the period November 2014 to May 2016 and uses data provided by the organisations delivering the programme, TFFWT and Pathways. It includes an analysis of client data, a cost benefit analysis, and qualitative interviews with. The report describes the context of the evaluation; the incidence of long term conditions and the prevalence of unemployment in the regions covered by the service, and the client’s journey through the Bridging the Gap service. The findings of the evaluation show good health improvements for people with long term conditions, with over 80 per cent of clients in Pathways and over 57 per cent in TFFWT showing health improvements. The most widespread health conditions were found to be mental health, with 64.3 per cent in Pathways and 41.9 per cent in TFFWT having one or more mental health conditions; and musculoskeletal disorders, with 14.6 per cent of people in Pathways and 20.1 per cent in TFFWT reporting at least one form of MSK. The evaluation also found that 38.2 per cent and 65 per cent of clients completing the service were assessed to be work ready within the period of this evaluation. The evaluation estimates a total possible annual fiscal savings of £646,357 resulting from movement into employment; £1,929,148 resulting from health benefits; and in terms of social value, BTG is estimated to have generated £8.99 per £1 spent. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social prescribing: a pathway to work?
- Authors:
- STEADMAN Karen, THOMAS Rosemary, DONNALOJA Victoria
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 40
- Place of publication:
- London
This paper considers the social prescribing model through an employment lens. An initial review of the grey and academic literature uncovered little reference to the role of work in this context. This has not been a key feature of previous large-scale studies on social prescribing, which is itself a relatively new area of research and practice. The study took a two stage exploratory approach, comprising: a short survey with members of the UK Social Prescribing Network to better understand their experience of social prescribing, and where work fits in their views; and four case studies of social prescribing services, to explore how each service works, is delivered and experienced by clients in order to learn how social prescribing is, in practice, achieving a wide range of health and social outcomes, potentially including work. The aim of social prescribing is to help individuals find non-clinical solutions which will improve their health and wellbeing. Though it is unlikely that people will access or be referred to social prescribing services for the primary purpose of achieving work the paper argues that there are benefits in making work a more central part of the services, given that work is an important determinant of health and wellbeing. The paper identifies a number of elements that are critical to ensuring social prescribing can contribute positively to improving work-related outcomes for clients. These are: an engaged link worker; a patient-centred approach; strong links with a wide range of good quality community support; the ability to fill gaps in existing community support; and strong links (preferably co-location) with GPs. The paper also considers a number of barriers to improving work outcomes through social prescribing, which are: limited focus on health and wellbeing and health service use; lack of expertise around work and related challenges (e.g. welfare system); short-termism in service provision; low availability and quality of local service provision; and poor awareness of work as a health outcome. (Edited publisher abstract)
Complexities and challenges: working with multiple health conditions
- Authors:
- STEADMAN Karen, SHELDON Helen, DONNALOJA Victoria
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 58
- Place of publication:
- London
This report examines the effect of multiple long term conditions on employment and looks at ‘what works’ in terms of managing and supporting people to remain, and to be productive, in work. The report draws evidence from the literature, analysis of data from the Health Survey for England 2013 which covered people of working age with at least two long-term health conditions, and interviews with people who are managing multiple health conditions in work. Evidence from the existing literature found a higher risk of comorbidity for specific groups, such as older workers, those from low socio-economic backgrounds and for women. Analysis of data from the Health Survey found that people with two or more long-term health conditions are: less likely to be in employment; are more likely to be doing unskilled work; and likely to have lower levels of job satisfaction. Musculoskeletal disorders and mental health problems were also found to have a substantial impact on employment outcomes. In terms of support, the report found that adjustments by employers, such as changes in working hours or break patterns; support provided by GPs and Occupational Health Services were found to be helpful for staff retention. The report makes recommendations focused on improving the prevention, recognition and management of multiple long term conditions during working age, and particularly in the working population. These include recommendations for individuals, employers, the health sector and government. (Edited publisher abstract)
Is welfare to work, working well? Improving employment rates for people with disabilities and long-term conditions
- Authors:
- DUDLEY Cicely, McENHILL Libby, STEADMAN Karen
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
This report reflects how effective current welfare-to-work provision is in supports people with disabilities and long term condition to find work and highlights how support might be improved in its next iteration, e.g. through the proposed ‘Work and Health Programme’. The report provides an overview of the current position in the labour market of people with long-term health conditions, identifies indicators of disadvantage and barriers to employment, looks at the health, social and economic benefits of employment, and looks at 'what works' for supporting people with long term conditions into work. Chapter three discusses current national and local initiatives, and looks at where devolution and decentralisation has offered opportunities for local flexibility and innovation. Chapter four identifies challenges within the current system and suggests ways of overcoming these, based on the findings of an evidence review and conversations experts. The report concludes with a series of recommendations around four different areas of policy to improve the government’s provision of back to work support for people with long-term health conditions. The recommendations cover: the assessment process and Jobcentre Plus; welfare-to-work commissioning and payments; improving specialist employment support; and supporting and benefiting from local innovation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Peer support for employment: a review of the evidence
- Authors:
- McENHILL Libby, STEADMAN Karen, BAJOREK Zofia
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- London
Reviews the evidence from eleven academic studies to explore how, and if, peer support is effective in supporting employment outcomes for people with long term health conditions and disabilities. The studies identified included support group-based peer support, one-on-one mentoring models and a work-based model, where peer support was offered by a peer adviser trained to provide support to colleagues. The review highlights elements of successful peer support programmes for employment. Direct outcomes considered in the studies include improved job retention, reduced sick leave, achieving a new job. Other outcomes included changes in participants; confidence, self-esteem and social skills. The review also identifies gaps in the existing research which include the relationship between direct and indirect employment outcomes and the costs of providing peer support versus the benefits. The paper concludes that although the evidence is at an early stage of development, it suggests that peer support can be a useful tool in achieving a range of employment outcomes - such as moving into work, returning to work after sick leave, and retaining a job - for people with a wide range of health conditions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Symptoms of depression and their effects on employment
- Authors:
- STEADMAN Karen, TASKILA Tyna
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 79
- Place of publication:
- London
This study looks at the role that symptoms associated with depression can have on an individual’s ability to find a job, or remain in employment. It also explores the evidence around which interventions and support might improve employment outcomes for people experiencing these symptoms, and make a series of recommendations on how employment outcomes for this group may be enhanced. The study found that specific symptoms, including low mood, difficulty concentrating, and negative thinking, can have a considerable effect on employment outcomes, and that poor awareness and access to appropriate, evidence-based services are forming barriers to improving rates of employment for people with depression – many of whom want to work, and are able to work. The report was informed by a review of the recent academic literature on symptoms of depression and employment outcomes, and through interviews with experts in the field. (Edited publisher abstract)
An evaluation of the 'IPS in IAPT' Psychological Wellbeing and Work Feasibility pilot
- Authors:
- STEADMAN Karen, THOMAS Rosemary
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 68
- Place of publication:
- London
Report on the pilot of a scheme to help people with mental health problems, who are claiming Employment Support Allowance, find paid work. The scheme provided employment support based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, alongside the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme. The evaluation shows that across the different participant groups, and across the pilot sites, there was considerable positivity about the IPS and IAPT service, including in those sites that did not already have a similar service in place. The report outlines a series of recommendations, including: enhancing the partnership relationship between IPS and IAPT providers; enhancing parallel provision of IPS and IAPT services; enhancing partnership working with Jobcentre Plus; and considering broadening of eligibility criteria. (Edited publisher abstract)