The adult social care workforce in England has grown for the fourth successive year, with vacancies falling to their lowest level in a decade, according to Skills for Care's latest annual report.

However, while the headline numbers suggest the workforce is relatively stable, growth is occurring at its slowest rate in four years. Filled posts rose by 1.4% in the year to March 2026, compared with a peak of 4.9% between 2022/23 and 2023/24. There are also fewer British workers in the sector, and international recruitment has fallen significantly.

The State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England report found that retention improves sharply when employers combine competitive pay, guaranteed hours, training, qualifications and full-time opportunities. Care worker turnover falls from 34.3% to 15.3% under this approach.

Experienced leadership also matters: turnover drops from 28.3% to 20.6% as registered manager experience increases. Better workforce conditions were also linked to stronger CQC ratings.

Young people make up just 7% of the workforce, against 12% of the economically active population, and turnover among under-25s stands at 35.5%.

Just 37% of care workers hold a level 2 qualification or above, down from 48% in 2018/19.

For the first time, the report shows that non-nursing staff carry out delegated healthcare activities in 59% of responding CQC-regulated services.

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Professor Oonagh Smyth CBE, Chief Executive at Skills for Care, said: ‘This feels like a defining moment for adult social care. The Prime Minister has set out an ambition to build a National Care Service, free at the point of use, with greater recognition for care workers and a stronger relationship with the NHS. That ambition reflects the fact that there can be no sustainable reform of care without a sustainable, skilled and valued workforce.’

Minister of State for Mental Health and Social Care Alison McGovern added: ‘We want a workforce that’s empowered and capable of delivering a National Care Service. We will work intensively with them and with people who depend on care as we develop the workforce plan. We can’t afford to wait for Baroness Casey to finish her important work before we get stuck in. From speaking to carers, I know how many of them feel invisible, and they need change now.’

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, chair of the Local Government Association Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: ‘It is positive to see the workforce in a stronger position this year, with a reduction in vacancies and better retention. But those long-standing serious recruitment and retention challenges remain, along with predicted future need for growth.

‘A successful adult social care Fair Pay Agreement with better pay, conditions and recognition has the potential to be a fundamental part of building a care system we can all have confidence in. But its success will depend on it being fully funded and the government guaranteeing to cover all costs.

‘We need long-term, sustainable reform of the adult social care system built on prevention, and one that delivers for both workers and those who draw on care and support.’