A CPD model built on expert consensus for front-line Adult Social Care Workers in England. A Delphi study 

Background: Over the last decade the role of Care Worker has grown in complexity and scope. With the recent publication of the NHS ten year plan, the independent commission to transform social care and the implementation of The Care Workforce Pathway for Social Care, an accessible structured approach to planned Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs to be offered to Social Care workers that takes this scope and complexity into account. 

 

Approach: An iterative four round, mixed methods Delphi study was conducted between January 2025 to August 2025. The researcher participant group consisted of front-line care workers, managers, specialists, and training staff. Round one used open questions to explore the necessary steps for Social Care Workers to develop effective CPD plans and the characteristics of a good plan. Content analysis was used to identify key themes. In round two, research participants were asked to rank the themes. In round three, the previous rankings were used to develop four models which participants were asked to rank. The models were based on 1) the participants’ ranking, 2) the researchers’ previous research, 3) Skills for Care code of conduct standard, and 4) the Northern Irish CORU CPD model. In round four the highest ranked model was sent out to participants and they were asked to agree or disagree, with the model. There was 100% agreement by the remaining seventeen participants at the conclusion of the study 

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Results: The final model consisted of five key areas or stages that built on one another. 

Stage one: Identify your strengths and gaps in skills and experience and how you learn best. 

Stage two: Reflect on your practice, client needs, and code of conduct. 

Stage Three: Consider feedback, job description, resources, career development, and interests. 

Stage Four: Include organisations policies and procedures, goals, new developments in sector, and mandatory training. 

Stage Five: Plan goals to support your development. 

Front line workers in the study reported that they experienced CPD as something that was instructed by others while the group of managers and other professionals felt the locus of control was held by the front-line worker. 

 

Implications: The model developed through this research offers an accessible, coproduced structured approach to planned CPD, that considers the scope, complexity, resources, learning methods and interests of the individual worker. This is central to the wider intention of the sector to integrate care and health interventions leading to improved client outcomes and a reduction of pressure on inpatient services.  

 

However, a shift in the paradigm is needed within the sector to see front line workers as professionals who can develop and direct their own CPD 

This research provides important insights for policymakers, sector skills councils, social care providers, and educational institutes on the development of CPD and illustrates the importance of the need to view social care workers as being at the centre of their own plan and masters of it. Furthermore, the findings have broader applicability, to other registered professions in how CPD is conducted and reviewed.