Benchmarking of social workers and social care workforce in mental health

NHS England’s Workforce, Training and Education Directorate (formerly HEE) commissioned the NHS Benchmarking Network to conduct a National Workforce Census of Social Workers and Social Care Workforce with Mental Health Services, looking at the workforce as of 31 March 2022. This is the first time this information has been gathered on this scale. 

The report analysed data across the following sectors: 

• NHS Mental Health Services 

• Local Authority (LA) Mental Health Services  

• Independent Sector Organisations 

• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector 

The census provides a high-level overview of the Mental Health Social Care and Social Worker workforce across England and supports the plans set out in the NHS Long Term Plan to grow the mental health workforce by 27,000 WTE in 2023/24. 

The data will help to inform national, regional and local joint planning regarding workforce and education and training commissioning intentions.   

A version of the report, specifically for use by the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector​ has also been produced, which can be found, here.