Get practical support to use the Care Workforce Pathway in your organisation.
The Care Workforce Pathway helps adult social care providers create clearer career opportunities, support workforce development, and build a more skilled and confident workforce.
Our direct support programme is for care providers ready to start or develop their use of the Care Workforce Pathway.
Apply today to join our January 2027 programme.
What's included?
- Expert guidance to get started or make progress
- Practical resources and tools to support current workforce planning activity
- Opportunities to learn from providers already using the Pathway
- Support to translate learning into action
- Fully funded by the Department for Health and Social Care
Benefits of using the Pathway
The Care Workforce Pathway is the career framework for the adult social care sector. It can help your organisation:
- Strengthen workforce planning
- Attract new workers
- Develop a more confident and competent workforce
- Retain talent
- Support delivery of high-quality, personalised care and support
Introducing structured career development planning has given staff and managers the tools to support progression, retain talent, and ensure we continue providing high-quality care and support.
Brandon Trust
Discover more success stories from care providers who are already using the Pathway.
About the programme
We’ll help you build your understanding of the Pathway, support you to put what you learn into practice, and celebrate your progress in using the Pathway to support your workforce planning and development activity.
The programme is designed to fit alongside day-to-day operations and focuses on practical activities that can be integrated into existing work.
You’ll join a series of online information sessions and take part in action and reflection forums alongside other providers on the programme, where you can share your successes and challenges, seek advice, and generate new ideas.
To learn more about the programme (recorded 30 June 2026).
Programme delivery
Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 January
Workshop 1 - Introduction and getting buy-in
Find out how to demonstrate the value and impact of using the Pathway to help secure buy-in.
Tuesday 26 January
Action and reflection forum
A supportive space to reflect on what you have learned, share challenges, and test solutions.
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 January
Workshop 2 - Planning for action
Get ready to use the Pathway, including planning your approach, identifying a start point, and monitoring progress.
Tuesday 2 February
Action and reflection forum
Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 February
Workshop 3 - Role mapping in practice
Step-by-step guidance on mapping a role using templates and support tools.
Wednesday 24 February
Action and reflection forum
Late March/early April
Check-points
Providing an opportunity to reflect on progress, identify barriers, and support ongoing activity leading to change.
Note that each workshop is delivered twice to give you a choice of dates, but you only need to attend each session once.
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About the Care Workforce Pathway
The Care Workforce Pathway is the universal career structure for adult social care. It sets out the expected knowledge, skills, values, and behaviours that care professionals need to deliver high-quality, personalised care and support.
It uses different role categories to show clear routes for career progression - from frontline care to leadership and management - and highlights suitable learning and development opportunities at each level.
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Ready to apply?
Please submit your application by the deadline of 5 January 2027.
The support programme is open to adult social care providers (including residential care home, community-based support, domiciliary care, supported living) in England and is fully funded by the Department for Health and Social Care.
Taking part requires a commitment from your organisation to:
- nominate a Pathway lead to co-ordinate activity across your organisation
- attend three one-hour online workshops
- develop a simple plan to use the Pathway
- map at least one existing job role against the Pathway role categories
- use the Pathway to make a change
- keep us updated as you complete each activity so we can support your progress and celebrate your achievements
These practical, achievable activities will enable you to build a strong foundation for embedding the Pathway in your organisation. Letting us know about your progress helps us understand what's working well and where further support may be helpful.
We are sorry but we are unable to accept applications from care providers who have participated in any previous Care Workforce Pathway support programme.
Once you have submitted your application, we will contact you to confirm if you have been accepted onto the programme and share next steps.
Complete the application form below to secure your place.