Vacancy rates in social care have almost doubled in a year, data from Skills for Care show. In May vacancy rates were 10.3%, compared with 5.8% in May 2021. “Following the peak of the pandemic, vacancy rates have been rising and are now higher than they were pre-covid,” Skills for Care said. “An increase in vacancy rates in recent months reflects the recruitment and retention challenges employers have faced post-pandemic as other sectors have re-opened and as some social care staff have felt the impact of the past two years.” The organisation added that its work over July and August would focus on providing practical recruitment support to employers.
