Statement from the Yorkshire and Humber Care Alliance (YHCAA) on Skills for Care‘s launch of the Regional State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce Report 2025:
“Yesterday’s launch of the Skills for Care report for Yorkshire and the Humber provides a vital evidence base for shaping the future of adult social care. This is the UK’s richest source of ASC workforce data, and for the first time, it excludes NHS-employed ASC roles—giving us a clearer picture of the independent sector.
The region’s 168,000 ASC staff include 137,000 in the independent sector, which spans care homes and non-residential services. Despite a 3.3% increase in posts and a 3.8% rise in filled roles, we still face over 8,000 vacancies, with 7,400 in the independent sector across 2,771 establishments.
Turnover remains high at 24.3%, and while 60% of those leaving stay within ASC, the churn is costly and destabilising. The dramatic fall in international recruitment—from 7,500 to 2,000—signals a need to urgently invest in domestic recruitment and retention strategies.
Registered Managers are central to service quality and workforce stability, yet they face burnout, poor pay progression, and limited incentives to take on leadership roles. Many staff are deterred from stepping up due to the loss of sleep-in payments and the disproportionate increase in responsibility.
The Care Workforce Pathway offers a route to professionalisation, but it must be underpinned by fair pay, career development, and recognition. With only 9% of the independent ASC workforce under 25 and 25% over 55, we face a demographic crisis.
Apprenticeships are declining, and funding is often lower than in other sectors. We need support to engage schools, colleges, and communities to promote care careers and build a sustainable workforce.
The region’s care homes with nursing have the highest turnover rate in the UK—34.9%. Only 20% of staff hold Level 2 qualifications, and just 5% hold Level 5 or above. This is a clear call for investment in training and development.
Nationally, Adult Social Care roles remain poorly paid. Over 80% of jobs pay more than care roles, and experienced staff are earning on average just 7p more per hour than new starters. Low pay and lack of progression opportunities undermine the sector’s ability to attract and retain talent.
The Fair Pay Agreement and Employment Rights Bill are important steps, but they must be properly designed and funded to deliver real change. We need a sector-wide infrastructure that supports leadership development, rewards experience and attracts the next generation.
YHCAA calls on government, commissioners, and education providers to act on this data.”