Workforce information for providers
Attracting, recruiting, and retaining workers in Oxfordshire
Our Workforce Strategy 2023-2026
The council works closely with providers across the Adult Social Care sector and the Adult Social Care workforce to update and develop our ASC Workforce Development Strategy on a three-year cycle.
This work is supported by our Strategic Partners, including the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP), Skills For Care and Partners in Care and Health.
The strategy sets the direction for the way the council invests and commissions services in developing the Adult Social Care workforce over the short, medium, and long term. The strategy is supported by a rolling 12 month delivery plan.
We want you to be involved in shaping our continuing plans to attract, recruit and retain staff within the council and across our external providers so please keep an eye on the Let’s Talk Oxfordshire page for consultations.
The Strategy for the current three years ending 2026:
Latest news:
Learning and Development Resources:
Skills for Care Development Fund
For details and up-dates on the fund please refer to
Grey Matter Learning
Through our corporate partnership, we have purchased the services of Grey Matter Learning (GML), a Skills for Care Centre of Excellence, to support care providers to have access to part funded online learning, (extended until 1st April 2025). For more details please visit:
OACP Membership offer
Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers offer a number of benefits through their registered membership, including IHSCM training. For more details please visit
Grants
The council has provided funds, administered by the Care Workers Charity, to provide support to adult social care staff experiencing sudden financial pressures. The grants are open to all employees in the social care sector who have been in post for more than three months.
In addition, grants are also available to support new (or returning) starters to adult social care. These grants are to support with a range of costs to help new starters to prepare for work or to support cash flow in their first month of employment.
For more details on the grants please visit: Oxfordshire Grants - The Care Workers Charity
Recruitment support
Care Friends
Through the Care Friends Digital Employee Referral App., we provide an allocation of funds to support local providers using the app in the recruitment and retention of staff. Through the app an employer can reward staff with bonus points which translate into cash rewards. For more information please visit: The Employee Referral App for Social Care - Care Friends
Employment Specialist
We commission a dedicated employment specialist to assist with the recruitment of staff into the sector.
Please email to get in contact to discuss support with filling employer vacancies via direct candidate matching, specific candidate prospecting and interview arrangement, via a large care based talent pool of candidates across Oxfordshire.
You can also hear about the work Raj is doing here : “Ask Raj” and take the first steps into a career in care (oxfordshire.gov.uk))
Apprenticeship and engagement activities
Our Apprenticeship and engagement lead works with partners across the sector to increase the number of people attracted to work in health and social care in Oxfordshire. This work includes
- working with schools and colleges to promote health and care careers
- working across the sector to promote a broad range of career pathways and entry routes
- working with care providers to understand the opportunities for work experience and apprenticeships
- working with employment and education partners to promote and develop initiatives such as supported internships and T Levels
- working with health and social care organisations to promote careers and development opportunities including apprenticeships as CPD such as the Nursing Associate role, leadership apprenticeships and other development avenues.
You can contact our Apprenticeship and Engagement Lead, Evie Bennett, on evie.bennett@oxfordshire.gov.uk