The SEND System is at Breaking Point – AI Can Help Fix It
Blogs
- 30 Jan, 2025
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The ageing population and growing demand for adult social care are key drivers behind the increasing reliance on agency staff. The number of people aged 65 and over is expected to rise by 30% by 2030, putting additional strain on an already stretched workforce. Local authorities’ use of agency social workers in adults’ services rose by a quarter from September 2022 to September 2023, official figures have shown.
A 2024 report from the Local Government Association (LGA) sheds light on a significant and growing issue within adult social care: a workforce crisis that is only deepening. The combination of low wages, high turnover, and an increasing reliance on agency staff is creating a strain that directly impacts the quality of care for those who need it most. “Councils are increasingly reliant on agency workers to cover these gaps, with an estimated £292 million spent on agency staff in 2023/24, up from £277 million the previous year”. This highlights how costly this dependency has become, both financially and in terms of the quality of care. Agency staff are often unfamiliar with residents’ specific needs, routines, or preferences. With frequent turnover and unfamiliar agency staff, the consistency and personalisation of care can be lost.
The emphasis on urgent intervention to address staffing shortages is crucial. The fact that technology could play a part in easing the burden on social care staff is a promising idea. Reducing time spent on administrative tasks by streamlining processes and integrating digital tools could indeed help to reduce burnout, improve job satisfaction, and potentially lead to a reduction in the need for agency workers. To attract and retain skilled staff, the work environment should be more efficient and less overwhelming. Staff may feel more supported and able to stay in their roles long-term, which will have a positive impact on the resident and their journey.
