For three decades, successive governments have attempted (and failed) to reform the social care system. Most debates have focused on finances: who should pay for social care and how much should each person be expected to contribute? These are of course important questions – but if we’re serious about fixing the adult social care system, we must also focus on who will deliver it.

In his recent speech on social care reform, prime minister Andy Burnham put the social care workforce front and centre – emphasising the need to improve pay, training and career progression. He also argued that care workers should be valued for their work.

The point that Burnham makes here is crucial if his party wants to deliver on their proposal to develop a national care service. Social care is not just a funding challenge – it’s a workforce challenge, too.

Previous consultations and select committee reports have shown that people drawing on care and support want to live “gloriously ordinary lives”. They want to maintain relationships, participate in their communities and access support tailored to their needs and preferences. This demands skilled and compassionate care staff who are able to build trusting connections with people.

Currently, most care is delivered by unpaid family or friend carers – around a quarter of whom live in poverty. Analysis by the Centre for Care found that the value of this “free labour” is........

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