Exclusive: Ministers renew efforts to tackle adult social care staff crisis
Official figures show there's currently a 96 thousand staff shortfall in the sector with nearly three quarters of a million needing long-term care
Last updated 13th Oct 2026
We can exclusively reveal the Government's renewing efforts to tackle a workforce crisis in adult social care.
Official figures show there's currently a 96 thousand staff shortfall in the sector- with nearly three quarters of a million needing long-term care.
Latest data shows there's nearly 5 million unpaid carers in England- with half a billion pounds being put into improving sector pay.
Ministers say they're also putting £4.6 billion into improving support for adult social care
"I'm a hundred percent a different person to who I was even five years ago"
Nicola lives in Runcorn and has been supported by carer Kirsty for close to a decade:
"Having carers there that see you as a person, not just a job, I think is so important because these girls become so intertwined in my life that they have become a massive part of it naturally."
"I can live my fullest and happiest life because I am doing that now, I'm a hundred percent a different person to who I was even five years ago."
"It ended up becoming a whole part of me"
Kirsty is from Wigan and has been a carer for over 16 years. She reflected on her journey in social care.
She mentioned how personal experiences motivated her to join the sector: "For my grandfather who had dementia...the pay wasn't too bad. So I just decided to give it a go, however, then it ended up becoming a whole part of me"
Further statistics indicate that there were 1,460,000 adult social care workers in England, working across 1,590,000 jobs, by 2025/26.
Vacancy figures show adult social care employers advertised 96,000 positions on average per day in the 2025/26 period.
Additionally, approximately 266,000 adults were self-funding care within the community or in care homes during 2024/25.
The median pay for a care worker employed by independent providers stood at £12.60 per hour as of December 2025.
What is the Government doing on this?
Ministers have outlined several measures aimed at addressing these challenges, including a £723 million increase for the Disabled Facilities Grant in 2026/27, marking an 11% rise since 2023.
Significantly, the Carer's Allowance earnings limit has been raised by £2,750 over two years, the largest hike since the 1970s.
To support individuals with disabilities, financial assistance through uplifts to the Minimum Income Guarantee is expected to return £400 to their pockets, assisting with living costs.
This financial year, up to £10 million is being invested in the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, launched in September 2024, providing funding for eligible care staff to complete essential training and qualifications.
Additionally, a three-year support programme in collaboration with Skills for Care valued at over £30.7 million is underway, focusing on workforce recruitment, retention, upskilling, and promoting best practices.