Skills for Care announces support for phase two of the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) Improvement Programme

We hear from Oonagh Smyth, CEO of Skills for Care, on the much-anticipated launch of the second phase of the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard

Skills for Care is delighted to extend its support for the SC-WRES Improvement Programme into phase two. This initiative aims to address race inequality in the social care workforce by gathering insights into the experiences of Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic staff. Building on a successful pilot with 18 local authorities in 2021 and 23 in 2023, over 50 local authorities will participate in the upcoming phase.

SC-WRES collects data from local authorities on nine race equality indicators, seven aligned with NHS WRES. This data informs an annual report, establishing a crucial evidence base and pioneering dataset for the sector.

Access the 2023 annual report.

SC-WRES offers participating local authorities:

• monthly community of practice sessions
• access to guidance, materials, and data collection tool
• SC-WRES logo to demonstrate anti-racism commitment
• expert and guest speaker sessions
• peer-to-peer support and problem-solving.

The SC-WRES programme is a crucial recommendation within the recently launched ‘Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care’. The Strategy calls for the continued support of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Ministry of Housing, the Department for Education (DfE) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in encouraging the adoption of the Programme in the coming years.

We are thankful for the ongoing support of Directors of Adult and Children’s Services. We’re also thankful for the ongoing support of ADASS, and particularly Beverley Tarka, last year’s ADASS President, incoming Skills for Care Board member and SC-WRES advocate. With their continued support, SC-WRES is poised for further growth.

Skills for Care is grateful for the support of the SC-WRES Independent Advisory Group. This group, comprised of trailblazing professionals with lived experience, has been instrumental in pushing for the development of the SC-WRES and aligning it with the NHS WRES.

As phase two begins, Skills for Care remains committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable social care workforce.

Local authorities have until the 16 August 2024 to sign-up to the 2024 Improvement Programme. You can find out more or learn how to get involved, by visiting our SC-WRES webpage or emailing equalityandrights@skillsforcare.org.uk.

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