Workforce information for providers
Attracting, recruiting, and retaining workers in Oxfordshire
Our Workforce Strategy 2026-2028
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.
In recognition of Local Government Reorganisation, the strategy has been updated to reflect the position to 2028, shortening the cycle for this update period.
The updated combined strategy sets forward how we will support, develop and strengthen the adult social care workforce across Oxfordshire.
At the heart of adult social care are the people who provide care and support every day. The strategy recognises the importance of having the right values, skills, support and opportunities in place so that colleagues and care providers can continue to deliver good care and help residents live well. It brings together the work already happening across Adult Social Care and with our partners, and sets out the areas we will focus on together — from attracting and recruiting people into the sector, to supporting retention, learning, development and good workforce planning.
This work is supported by our Adult Social Care Providers and our Strategic Partners, including the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP) and Skills For Care. We would like to expressly thank our providers for working with us to shape the plan and the priorities for the next two years.
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 2026 - 2028:
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Latest news
For all the latest news, visit our engagement hub via the link below.
Learning and Development Resources
Learning and Development Fund
For details and updates on the fund, refer to
Flourish Learning
Through our corporate partnership, we have purchased the services of Flourish Learning to support care providers to have access to part-funded online learning (extended until 1 April 2027). For more details, visit:
OACP Membership offer
Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers offer a number of benefits through their registered membership, including IHSCM training. For more details, visit:
Grants
Currently closed
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, 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, visit: The Employee Referral App for Social Care - Care Friends
Apprenticeship and engagement activities
We work 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 Evie Bennett at evie.bennett@oxfordshire.gov.uk for further information.