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News New report shows social care’s £77.8bn contribution


Skills for Care’s new ‘State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report has found that the growing social care sector now contributes £77.8bn to the economy. This is despite ongoing domestic


recruitment and retention challenges, with the report showing that the total number of posts in adult social care has increased by 2.2 per cent on the previous year, with vacancy rates having returned to pre-pandemic levels of seven per cent. Other key findings include:


n The total number of vacant posts in 2024/25 was 111,000 – a 12.4 per cent decrease on the previous year.


n The number of filled posts grew by 3.4 per cent to 1.6 million. This growth was smaller than the previous year, but still the second highest increase on record.


n The turnover rate in the independent sector decreased from 25.8 per cent in 2023/24 to 24.7 per cent in 2024/25.


encouraging signs of progress for our workforce, alongside challenges that still need to be addressed. “It’s positive to see our workforce growing,


n The total number of posts in adult social care in England – comprising filled and vacant posts - was 1.71m in 2024/25.


n The sector still faces long-term recruitment and retention challenges as it is projected to need around 470,000 new posts - an increase of 27 per cent - by 2040 to keep up with the projected growth in the population over the age of 65.


Skills for Care CEO Professor Oonagh Smyth said: “Our latest report highlights the complex nature of the social care sector today, with


NACC unveils Care Chef of the Year 2025


Ilona Tomza of Porthaven Care Homes has been crowned National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2025. Ilona was crowned in front of NACC members and guests at the NACC Training & Development Forum held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham. Caitlin Goodall of AbleCare Homes and


Dawn Louise Brown of Greenholme Care Home, Avery Healthcare, took second and third places, respectively. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the final


heat of the competition focused on the importance of food, nutrition, and positive mealtime experiences as part of quality care, with finalists challenged to create an appealing and delicious two-course menu appropriate for people in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses could be no more than £4.50 per head based on three portions. Ilona’s dishes of balsamic vinegar and


muscovado coq au vin for main and a whiskey and orange crème brûlée with almond puff pastry fingers and semi- frozen orange segments for dessert


impressed the judges. Ilona was also awarded Highly


Commended Main, while Caitlin Goodall received the Highly Commended Dessert for her orange syrup semolina sponge. The NACC’s National Chair Neel Radia said: “I am constantly amazed by the incredible standards our chefs achieve in this prestigious competition. I have immense respect for these individuals – not only for stepping up under the intense pressure of having judges looking over their shoulders, but also for their determination to return year after year in pursuit of the ultimate accolade in care catering: the title of Care Chef of the Year. “Raising the profile of care chefs is something we all value deeply, as it helps bring new talent into our sector. From speaking with many of these chefs, I know that once they understand the true impact they can make in others’ lives, they often stay with us for many years.” Head judge Steve Munkley said: “It was


a fought competition with some amazing cooking served up by all the chefs in such a variety of dishes.”


and vacancy and turnover rates continuing to fall. However, much of this improvement is being driven by international recruitment and, as both domestic and international recruitment are slowing, we need to explore new pathways to build sustainable workforce capacity.


“At the same time, falling qualification


levels – when care roles are becoming more complex – suggest that capability, as well as capacity, is likely to be a challenge in the future. We have to ensure that people have the skills, values and confidence to do these essential roles in social care. “To meet growing and changing care needs,


we must prioritise domestic recruitment and invest in learning and development for our workforce.”


Emily Whitehurst named Constantia Healthcare CEO


Care home provider Constantia Healthcare Group has announced the appointment of Emily Whitehurst as its new CEO. Emily steps into the CEO role following a successful tenure as Chief Operating Officer, where she led a major programme of transformation across Constantia’s portfolio of nine residential, nursing, and complex care homes.


Under her operational leadership, the group has delivered significant financial improvements, rolled out pioneering digital solutions, and embedded a culture of excellence focused on residents’ wellbeing and staff empowerment.


Emily Whitehurst said: “I am honoured to lead Constantia Healthcare Group into this next chapter. I have a clear vision for the future – one where we continue to innovate, invest in our people, and deliver exceptional care that truly changes lives. My focus will be on building sustainable growth, strengthening our teams, and ensuring every home in the Group remains a place where residents, families, and colleagues feel proud to belong.”


November 2025 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 9


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