Last week, we welcomed CACHE Alumni members from across the sector to a discussion exploring the future of the social care workforce. Building on the findings of our social care workforce report, the event explored the challenges, opportunities and priorities shaping social care careers today. 

Throughout the discussion, one theme stood out. To attract and retain talented people, we need to help them see a future in social care. 

That future already exists. The question is whether we're doing enough to make it visible. 

How the workforce feels 

We began by asking attendees to describe the current workforce mood in one word. The responses were striking: underappreciated, undervalued, overworked, stressful and tiring. 

These feelings won't come as a surprise to many working across social care. The sector continues to face significant pressures, from workforce shortages and increasing demand to growing complexity in the support people need. 

Our discussion also highlighted a less visible issue. Do social care professionals feel recognised for the contribution they make? 

This echoes findings from the report, which showed that while 52.5% of respondents felt their role is recognised professionally, 40% disagreed. These findings point to a profession that is highly valued by some but still overlooked by others, reinforcing the need to improve recognition of the skills, expertise and impact of the social care workforce. 

Recognition isn't a 'nice to have' 

When attendees were asked what would most improve perceptions of social care careers, the most common response was professional recognition. 

Recognition can take many forms. It's about the way employers value expertise and development. It's about how society views the profession. It's about ensuring people can progress in their careers and be recognised for the specialist skills they develop along the way. 

As panellist Cheryle Cox, National Workforce Capability Lead (Quals & Standards), Skills for Care, said: "We need to give them that recognition and not just through a qualification." 

Social care professionals support people through some of the most important moments in their lives. Yet too often, the skills, knowledge and professionalism that underpin this work go unnoticed. 

If we want people to stay in the sector, recognition must be part of the conversation. 

We need to talk about careers, not jobs 

Another important theme was the need to change the narrative around social care careers. 

Too often, discussions focus on vacancies and recruitment challenges. While these are important issues, they can sometimes overshadow the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available across the sector. 

Panel member Nigel Taylor, Workforce Advisor, Salutem Care and Education, said: "It's great that we're talking around careers and not jobs." 

That distinction matters. A career offers progression, development, and purpose. It creates opportunities to specialise, move into leadership roles, develop expertise, and continue learning throughout working life. 

The social care sector offers all of these opportunities, but we need to do more to showcase them. 

For many people, progression shouldn't mean leaving frontline practice behind. It can mean developing specialist expertise, supporting increasingly complex needs, mentoring others, or becoming a leader within their area of practice. 

The more we highlight these pathways, the more people will be able to see social care as a long-term career choice rather than a short-term role. 

Visibility creates aspiration 

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was visibility. People cannot aspire to opportunities they don't know exist. 

"It's about making those possibilities really visible and showcasing those at the earliest opportunity possible,” said Faye Tang, National Workforce Capability Lead (Care Workforce Pathway), Skills for Care. 

Schools, colleges and apprenticeships all have a role to play in helping people understand the breadth of careers available in social care. We also need to reach career changers and those who may never have considered the sector before. 

Just as importantly, we need more opportunities to showcase the real stories of people working in care today. 

Visibility isn't only important for attracting people into the sector. It's also crucial for retaining talent. As Faye Tang noted: "If we want people to stay and build a long-term career in social care, they really need to be able to see that there is a future for them in the sector." 

Role models matter. Seeing someone who has progressed, specialised, or built a rewarding career can help others imagine themselves doing the same. When career pathways are visible, they become achievable. 

Looking ahead 

The discussion covered workforce challenges, emerging opportunities, and the changing needs of the sector. But perhaps the most important takeaway was this: social care has a wealth of opportunities to offer, and we need to do more to make them visible. 

Recognition helps people feel valued. Visibility helps people see what's possible. 

Together, they could be some of the most powerful tools we have for attracting, developing, and retaining the workforce of the future. 

Continue the conversation with CACHE Alumni 

Want to be part of discussions shaping the future of health, social care and education? Become a CACHE Alumni member for free. 

As a member, you'll receive monthly newsletters and invitations to exclusive events. You'll also gain access to the NCFE Learning Hub, where you can build skills and earn digital badges.