Agendas, challenges, and opportunities for the adult social care workforce
An online showcase of the Centre for Care’s research about the adult social care workforce in the UK. Press play below to watch the presentations from the session (captions are automated).
About the event
We presented key themes from studies conducted by the Centre’s Care Workforce Change Research Group at a timely moment: The Employment Rights Act 2025 is a significant landmark for the adult social care workforce. The showcase is focused on issues the Act seeks to tackle, noting key challenges and opportunities for this poorly treated group of workers.
The event included three presentations, each followed by a response from an invited speaker.
Shereen Hussein and Erika Kispeter, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, presented key findings from their study on national policies driving workforce change and the synergies and tensions between policy reforms. Oonagh Smyth CBE, the Chief Executive of Skills for Care will respond to this presentation.
Kate Hamblin from The University of Sheffield presented findings related to the use of digital technologies in care work. Drawing on interviews with care staff, they discussed a gap between policy ideas about a lack of digital skills and the reality of how technology changes care work. Response from Jenny Pattinson, the Chief Executive of Nightingale Hammerson care homes.
Duncan Fisher and Liam Foster, from The University of Sheffield, discussed the implications of their study of organising and trade union activity in England in the context of the new legislation. They outlined some of the existing barriers to collective action, and how these might be overcome considering the newly introduced measures. Response from Hannah Reseigh-Lincoln, a support worker involved with Homecare Voices and the Care Workers’ Charity.
Please contact us with any questions: Erika.Kispeter@lshtm.ac.uk
