This annual report shows the progress made against the Social Care Workforce Delivery Plan between April 2024 and March 2025.
The delivery plan includes actions for the social care sector in Wales to focus on from 2024 to 2027 to deal with the challenges it faces. It represents phase two of the original strategy: A Healthier Wales: Our Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care that was launched in October 2020.
The delivery plan was developed following extensive engagement across the sector
It highlights achievements across the seven workforce strategy themes and three cross cutting themes - well-being, the Welsh language and inclusion. It also sets the direction for continued improvement in the years ahead.
For each theme we’ve summarised:
- our ambition
- the latest measures information focusing on impact
- the progress made so far on the actions
- the actions that will be taken forward in the future.
We’ve also highlighted progress where relevant to the specific workforce plans for:
- the social work profession
- the mental health workforce, developed in partnership with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), along with the associated implementation plan.
The report reflects the collective achievement of Social Care Wales, Welsh Government, national partners and the whole social care sector to build a motivated, engaged, and valued social care workforce, with the capacity, competence, and confidence to meet the care and support needs of the people of Wales.
The delivery plan is monitored by the Strategic Implementation Group, made up of national partners. We work together and make decisions to progress the workforce strategy’s goals. The group is co-chaired by our Chief Executive, Sarah McCarty, and Taryn Stephens, Deputy Chief Social Care Officer for Wales at Welsh Government.
As an organisation we’ve been considering in more detail over the last year how we can improve the evaluation and impact of our work, considering both qualitative and quantitative information. In relation to impact, within the annual report we:
- provide the latest delivery plan measures information focusing on impact, and
- include qualitative and quantitative data and pictures that highlight the impact for different areas of work and achievements during the year.
The majority if not all of the work is founded on strong and robust partnership working across the sector so that solutions are co-produced which creates ownership for the sector due to their involvement.
Key highlights from the report noted
Well-being:
- More than 570 people attended our well-being sessions.
- More than 8,000 new Care Worker Cards were issued.
- Increased uptake and awareness of the “Your Well-being Matters” framework.
- Continued to promote the mental health support service ‘Canopi.’
Welsh language:
- More than 800 learners enrolled on the Camau Welsh language course.
- The Caring in Welsh Award received over 5,200 public votes - double the previous year.
- A successful pilot scheme to support employers in developing Welsh language skills became available to all providers.
Inclusion:
- Commissioned evidence-based research for a pilot programme to support leadership development for underrepresented groups.
- Collected and analysed the first year of data for the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES).
- Developed an online resource to support employers of workers and workers who are new to Wales.
An engaged, motivated and healthy workforce:
- More than 300 people attended the first-ever Well-being Week and gave overwhelmingly positive feedback saying they had learnt something new and useful.
- Progress made in advancing fair work and recognition including:
- the Social Care Fair Work Forum making progress in developing a pay and progression framework for care workers
- the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) leading a review into consistent terms and conditions for social workers.
- Welsh Government in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Unison, developing a dedicated guide to help commissioners and employers understand and apply fair work principles
- The 2025 Have Your Say survey received a record 5,707 responses, offering rich insights into workforce experiences.
Attraction and recruitment:
- National campaigns reached millions, including targeted efforts for children’s residential care, home care and reablement, social work and apprenticeships.
- More than 800 people completed the Introduction to Social Care programme and new projects included ‘Get Into’ webinars exploring specific care roles.
- We commissioned a major research study to understand the role of volunteers in social care.
Seamless workforce models:
- Welsh Government led a national engagement phase to shape the National Multi-Agency Practice Strategy for Children.
- The National Recovery College Project was launched under the Strategic Mental Health Workforce Plan.
- Collaborative work continued in regional workforce boards and partnership boards.
Building a digitally ready workforce:
- A co-produced new digital potential tool was launched and used by more than 1,200 people.
- We showcased real-world examples of digital innovation across care settings in Wales through the project finder.
- We held Digital Champion workshops in partnership with Digital Communities Wales, helping staff build confidence and support their teams in using technology effectively.
Excellent education and learning:
- The Social Care Wales Workforce Development Programme (SCWWDP) continued to support workforce development and for the first time we published an end-of-year trends and themes report.
- We held training and engagement sessions to support employers and educators with qualification pathways, employer assessment routes, and best practices in workforce development.
- More than 3,200 apprentices completed health and social care qualifications, compared to 2,300 the previous year.
Leadership and succession:
- Compassionate leadership training reached over 200 people and more than 1,400 people accessed the new compassionate leadership webpages.
- The pilot of the Aspiring Middle Manager Programme was completed and evaluated and the programme is now available nationally.
- We developed a positive cultures guide, following engagement with the sector to find out what helps create and what prevents positive workplace cultures.
Workforce supply and shape:
- A comprehensive programme of support was delivered to local authorities to strengthen their workforce planning capabilities.
- We commissioned an independent data maturity assessment of all local authorities in Wales and published the report findings.
- Welsh Government launched the National Office for Care and Support and the National Framework for Commissioning Care and Support.
Looking ahead
The report outlines key actions that will be progressed in 2025 to 2026, including:
- giving guidance about the purpose, function and benefits of organisational safety committees that address all aspects of workplace safety, including well-being.
- embedding compassionate and positive cultures principles in the refreshed codes of practice for social care employers and social care workers.
- developing equality and diversity training.
- developing a retention framework and tools to support retention.
- developing an action plan based on the results of the digital potential tool.