Policy Research Programme

Social Care Workforce Research Initiative 2007-10

Hazel QureshiMarie McNay

Policy Research Programme

Outline

Policy aspirations and reality Aims of the DH initiative Aims of coordination Overview of projects

Policy Research Programme

Workforce Composition

922,000 people (87% in adult social care) 30,000+ employers

12% local authorities - area office/field work staff 18% domiciliary care 10% day care services 50% care homes 3% agency staff 7% NHS staff

Skills for Care The State of the Social Care Workforce Report 2004

Policy Research Programme

Aims of this Research Initiative

To generate knowledge, based on rigorous research, that will:

Improve our understanding of the individual, organisational and wider socio-economic factors affecting recruitment, retention and quality of the social care workforce

Examine the impact of developments in the social care workforce on the quality of care provided to service users;

Inform the future development of workforce-related strategies designed to achieve improvement in the outcomes of social care.

Policy Research Programme

Improving Understanding

Individual Motivation, attitudes, beliefs, history

Organisational Work allocation, training, recruitment,

induction, support, supervision, culture Wider socio-economic

Central and local policies, labour markets, migration, state of the economy, family structures, technology

Policy Research Programme

Quality and outcomes

Quality of service Staff

Competence Manner, how they relate to you

Logistics How well organised

Outcomes Quality of life maintained or improved Feeling valued and treated with respect

Policy Research Programme

Aims of Coordination

Support connections between researchers, and between researchers and research users

Links with other research Encourage and support methodological

innovation within and across the individual studies

Identify and/or develop intellectual connections between the individual studies

Policy Research Programme

Overview

Recruitment and Retention (3) Training, Skills and

Qualifications (2) Graduating in Social Work (2) New Ways of Working (2)

Policy Research Programme

Projects 2007-10

Varying lengths 6 months to 3 years

Range of reports and feedback events planned (see my poster)

Further seminars and other coordination to be planned in the light of discussions today