The Options for Excellence Review of Social Care

The Options for Excellence Review of Social Care was published in October 2006.

To improve on recent advances in the sector, the Options for Excellence Review of the social care workforce was jointly led by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills.

In particular the review was asked to bring forward recommendations in order to:

• increase the supply of all workers within the sector, such as domiciliary care workers, residential care workers, social workers and occupational therapists and look at measures to tackle recruitment and retention issues;
• improve the quality of social care practice;
• define the role of social workers (including training and skill requirements) (see below);
• develop a vision for the social care workforce in 2020 and a socio-economic case for improvements and investment in the workforce.

The Review has produced a clear vision of a proud, professional and successful workforce by 2020. It has identified priority areas for change which will now help to set the agenda for the policies of Government and the plans of key partner organisations, and which provide a framework for workforce development by employers. Drawing on experience of what works, the Review has drawn up a clear list of options to be considered to progress these priorities over the next 15 years.

CWDC welcomes the focus on social care provided by the Options for Excellence Review. We are clear that high quality social care is key to the delivery of the Every Child Matters outcomes for all children and young people. We will be taking forward a programme of work which invests in the looked after children workforce in support of this agenda."
Jane Haywood, Chief Executive, CWDC

To view or download the full Options for Excellence report or the executive summary click here.

For details of the Role and Tasks of Social Work project please click here.