The Big Picture: A Workforce on the Rise

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the UK’s Health and Social Care sector, and let’s be honest, who hasn’t these days, you’ll appreciate that something positive is on the rise.

Let’s talk numbers because data matters. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) workforce data, the UK’s Health and Social Care workforce has seen extraordinary growth over the past 10 years:

• 2015 – 2020: The workforce grew by 5%, adding 232,000 jobs.
• 2020 – 2025: The workforce surged by 8%, adding 570,000 jobs – that’s 2.3 times faster than the previous five years!

From a workforce of 4.22 million in 2015 to 5.02 million in 2025, we’re looking at a 19% increase over the decade. Much of this growth comes from the world we live in today: greater healthcare needs, more support required in social care and a renewed government focus on strengthening the services people rely on every day.

But here’s the thing, growth is only as good as the quality of training that supports it. And that’s exactly where we come in.

Excellence in Action: Empowering the Future Workforce

At Skills and Education Group, we’re incredibly proud to work alongside fantastic training providers who are helping to shape the future of Care Services. Every learner who enrols on one of our qualifications is taking a positive step towards a career that’s focused on care, compassion and making a real difference.

Our providers are right at the heart of this journey. From youth work and counselling to adult care roles, they support learners with great teaching, hands‑on experience and plenty of encouragement along the way. They help people build confidence, gain practical skills and turn ambition into meaningful, rewarding careers.

Together, we’re doing more than delivering qualifications – we’re building a confident, skilled workforce ready to support and inspire those who need it most.

Exciting Update: Our New Qualifications Are Now Live!

We are pleased to announce that our brand-new Care qualifications (England) have been officially approved by Skills for Care and are open for registration from 1 April 2026.

This new suite provides excellent career progression opportunities and includes the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate, the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, the Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service and the Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Youth Support Work (Diploma).

We have shared full details of these qualifications with the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) for inclusion in the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) eligible training list. This ensures your learners receive recognised, high-quality training that meets the sector’s evolving needs while remaining eligible for vital funding support.

You can explore our full range of Care Services qualifications here.

Why This Matters

The UK Care Services sector is at a really important point right now.

With around 800,000 extra workers needed over the past decade, the pressure on services is huge, but so is the chance to make a real difference. As new qualifications continue to launch, every newly qualified professional helps to strengthen the workforce and improve care for the people who rely on it.

At Skills and Education Group, we’re about more than just qualifications. We help create clear routes into meaningful careers, offer ongoing support to training providers, and ensure quality remains at the heart of everything we do.

Ready to get started?

If you’re already one of our Approved Centres, contact your Relationship Manager to add these new Adult Care qualifications to your portfolio.

If you’re not currently an Approved Centre but would like to deliver these qualifications, our Business Growth Team would love to chat and guide you through our simple approval process. You can reach them at: BGandM@skillsedugroup.co.uk

Together, we’re not just meeting demand, we’re raising standards.