Adult Social Care Workforce Analysis in England: A System Dynamics Approach

Introduction

For the first time in history, the number of people over 65 in England is greater than those under 16 (Department of Health, 2009). This significant change in demographic poses a real challenge to providing quality social care for this population. In 2007/08, there were around 1.75 million adults using social care services and this number was expected to rise significantly (Department of Health, 2009). It is estimated that by 2026, 1.7 million more adults in England will use social care services (Care Quality Commission, 2010). Regulations since 2000, like the Care Standards Act, have been instituted to ensure that this burgeoning population receives good quality of care. A number of reforms in social care have been created in response to the current socio-economic situation. One of these reforms is the personalization agenda, in which care users will have more choices and control over their care. These regulations and reforms are expected to dramatically alter the social care landscape and to put increasing pressure on people working in the adult social care sector, especially those who deliver direct care services (i.e., help care users to perform the everyday activities such as getting out of bed, getting dressed and into work, choosing what and when to eat, getting out of the house, etc).