Mapping the workforce for the future

A number of key issues have been identified during a review of the region’s adult social care workforce planning arrangements, leading to a series of recommendations from the Workforce Mapping project.

DBI Consulting has been commissioned by JIP to deliver the project.
Consultants have carried out extensive research, looking at the state of the social care workforce, the sectors’ needs, the available resources, as well as gaps in the workforce and how they may be filled.

A considerable amount of information has been gathered on local trends and practices, partnership working, learning and development, and the relationship between service commissioning and workforce planning.

Issues that have come to light include:

Leadership - regional and local leadership needs to be proactive in supporting and driving workforce planning.

Recruitment and retention - turnover rates among staff are high (even in a recession) due to a number of factors including lack of clear career progression. Workers need to see there is a worthwhile future in the caring profession

National Minimum Data Set - a number of local authorities have to get to grips with this. Until there is good quality data that can be matched with the transformation agenda local authorities will not be able to plan effectively

Commissioning and workforce planning – these functions are currently separate and need to be co-ordinated. If commissioners do not know what skills are available, and workforce professionals are unaware of commissioners’ plans, the needs of services and organisations may not be adequately met

Training – there is a tendency for duplication, with numerous training courses on the same theme taking place in the region. These could rationalised by joined up planning.

Meetings and networks – the array of meetings and networks (often duplicating each other) can stretch employees’ time and commitment. There is need for taking stock of what exists, plus rationalisation and co-ordination

Safeguarding – ensuring arrangements for direct payment recipients are effective

Mapping care pathways - greater coordination between health, local authorities, private, independent and volunatary sector organisatons, will improve the service users’ experience and efficiency in services.

A full report will be presented with recommendations to the JIP in June 2010.

For more information contact: Jo Potter, Management Consultant, Dbi Consulting, email: http://www.dbiconsulting.co.uk/, telephone: 07957 705079