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Strengthening Adult Social Care - OSCE Support

Writer's picture: Bhavin TailorBhavin Tailor

The government’s announcement of an independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Carey, to reform adult social care in England has led the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to stress the need for urgent action and greater involvement of nursing professionals. Tasked with addressing key challenges and shaping a ‘national care service,’ the commission aims to build reforms through cross-party consensus.


Yet, with the final report not expected until 2028, concerns are growing that the delay will worsen the sector’s challenges, leaving vulnerable individuals without adequate care and further straining an already overstretched workforce. However, there are immediate solutions we can implement to address these pressing issues and mitigate the crisis in the short-long term.


OSCE Programme for New-Entrant to UK


A group of clinical consultants at Indago Development, also members from the Devon Care Home Collaborative, have developed a bespoke OSCE training programme to support new-entrant nurses who have joined through international recruitment pathways.


We know that only 43.5% passed the OSCE, at the first attempt, in the first six months of 2024. Adding to this, applicants from the social care sector have lower pass rates for a number of reasons: one being is that they receive less support to practice the range of clinical skills compared to applicants who are supported by the NHS. Indago Development’s research team has found that the OSCE provision is heavily NHS-focused, which leaves a gap for social care nurses. 


This initiative directly addresses the alarming decline in registered nurse numbers highlighted in the Skills for Care report, which shows that “the number of filled registered nurse posts in the sector in England decreased between 2017/18 and 2023/24, from 39,000 to 34,000.” By offering a practical and immediate way to bring more skilled nurses into the sector, and focusing on social care-specific needs, this training programme ensures that our nursing workforce is better prepared to manage the complex demands of the sector, providing high-quality care to vulnerable individuals who cannot wait for reforms in 2028.


In the face of widespread vacancies and declining resources, programmes like this are essential to stabilising the sector. They not only increase the number of registered nurses but also help to retain them by fostering confidence, competence, and readiness for real-world challenges in social care. While long-term reforms are necessary, this is a tangible step that can have an impact today, ensuring that vulnerable people receive the care they need and that nursing staff are supported in delivering it.


For programme information please visit OSCE Programme.



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