A new report highlights the variation in how local authorities across Wales carry out workforce planning for social care, and the need for more investment to help some develop their approach.
The report also shows that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on workforce planning objectives.
We commissioned Practice Solutions to research the ‘current state’ of workforce planning across Wales and look at what’s needed in future.
We learned that:
- workforce planning varies across Wales
- The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on objectives
- workforce planning can be successful, when corporate and social services strategies align and teams work together
- where workforce planning is well developed, more sophisticated techniques and practices are used
- several local authorities would be glad to have support, increased capacity and resources to develop their workforce planning approaches
- there needs to be a shift from operational to strategic workforce planning, supported by investment locally, regionally and nationally.
Sue Evans, our Chief Executive, said: “This report gives us an excellent insight into current social care workforce planning approaches in Wales, but it also highlights the constraints and challenges faced to make sure workforce planning is fit for the future.
“Workforce planning is a key part of workforce supply and demand, based on service planning and modelling to meet people’s needs. But the feedback we received shows that the sector doesn’t feel it understands the workforce well enough and doesn’t have the right data and intelligence to plan the workforce effectively.”
Sue Evans added: “The recommendations from this report offer potential improvements at the local, regional and national level for us as a sector to consider and plan together.
“We know more people will rely on social care over the next 20 years, so it’s essential that we have effective workforce planning systems in place to meet this demand.
“We must also continue to make sure our workforce is motivated, engaged and valued and has the capacity, competence and confidence to meet the needs of the people of Wales.”