Adult social care skills agencies merge

Adult social care training organisations Skills for Care and the National Skills Academy for Social Care have completed their merger.

The newly merged organisation says the fusion of the two employer-led learning and development bodies aims to provide the UK’s 17,000 adult social care employers a single place to access support for staff development.

Sharon Allen, the chief executive of the combined organisation – which is retaining both brands despite the merger, said: “We are delighted that the merger, which employers have been very keen to see has been completed successfully, and I am looking forward to moving forward with an exciting new joint work programme.

“The combination of the leadership expertise brought by the National Skills Academy’s programmes and research with Skills for Care’s focus on the workforce development needs of the wider social care workforce will create an organisation that will become the go-to team on sector workforce and leadership issues.”

Glen Mason, director of social care leadership and performance at the Department of Health, said: “This merger has come at a crucial time as the quality of the workforce, their skills and knowledge, backed by quality leadership, are all central to the success of social care reform.

“Together, the National Skills Academy for Social Care and Skills for Care will be able to combine their strengths to support employers to deliver more for the sector and people who need care and support.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the merged organisation in the coming months and years to deliver the Care Act 2014 learning and development agenda.”