The size and structure of the adult social care sector and workforce in England

According to this report, the vacancy rate in England’s adult social care sector has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. It also shows that the workforce continued to grow in 2025/26, marking the fourth consecutive year of expansion. There were 22,000 more filled posts than the previous year – an increase of 1.4%, although this is the slowest growth rate in four years. It also highlights a drop in vacancies. However, vacancy levels in adult social care remain around three times higher than the wider economy, underlining the continued challenge of recruitment and retention within the sector.