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Reflecting on our latest size and structure of social care data

As we launch our ‘Size and structure of the adult social care sector in England’ report, our CEO Oonagh Smyth reflects on what the latest figures tell us and what this means for social care.

We’re pleased to once again publish our annual ‘Size and structure of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report.

This report, which precedes our ‘State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report due to be released in October, is a key publication for the social care sector. It informs us on some of the most important workforce metrics including vacancy rates, filled posts, turnover rate, and workforce projections.

Our latest figures tell us there were 1.6 million filled posts in adult social care in England in 2024/25 That’s 1.6 million posts with people working in them, people who deserve recognition for the determination, the skills and the compassion which working in social care requires.

It’s really positive in this latest report to see a notable decrease in vacancies across social care, with the vacancy rate returning to pre-Covid levels for the first time.

The vacancy rate for 2024/25 has fallen to 7%, after peaking at 10.5% in 2021/21.

We know that recruitment has been one of the biggest challenges for social care providers in recent years, and to be taking positive steps in this direction will mean better outcomes for care teams and for people supported.

However, while this is certainly welcome news for social care, we can’t afford to become complacent.

Despite a significant fall in the amount of international recruitment compared with the previous year, the 50,000 international recruits in 2024/25 have still made a big contribution to the growth in the workforce and the reduction in vacancies.

Additionally, some of the decrease in vacancies can be attributed to the fall in vacancies in the wider economy, which always benefits our sector. While the vacancy rate for social care has reduced, it is still three times that of the wider economy.

It’s also important to note that the number of filled posts, has not increased at the same rate, with a smaller growth in filled posts than the previous year.

With a projected need for another 470,000 people working in social care by 2040, it remains vital that we attract and keep the right people working in care.

That’s why it’s promising to see a decrease in the turnover rate, from 25.8% in 2023/24 to 24.7% in 2024/25. We know that for us to grow a sustainable workforce we must prioritise supporting people to build long-term careers in care.

The Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care which was published in July 2024 is an important asset in achieving this.

The Strategy has been created for the sector by the sector and sets out where we are now, the drivers and case for change, and where we want to make improvements.

As we mark one year of the launch of the Strategy, I’m delighted to see that 50% of the 56 recommendations and commitments are completed or in progress.

Insights such as those provided by the ‘Size and Structure’ report are vital in helping to shape the Strategy and ambitions for the sector.

These insights are only possible thanks to the 21,000+ adult social care providers who are sharing their workforce data by using the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS).

The data provided in ASC-WDS is what allows our analysts to compile their insights and create our reports which have so much impact for everyone working in social care and the people who draw on care and support.

For this I want to thank all our ASC-WDS contributors for playing a role in shaping this vital intelligence about the adult social care workforce.

As we reflect on the findings of the latest report alongside celebrating one year of the Workforce Strategy it’s really important to take some time to acknowledge the achievements and progress made across social care in the past year.

And we must continue to look ahead to where and how we can keep driving change to make social care better for the people who work in care and the people who draw on care and support.

View the full report on our website.

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