Over 2,000 employees in Staffordshire benefit from Social Care Academy in first year
More than 2,000 people who care for adults across Staffordshire and Stoke‑on‑Trent have now signed up to access training through a new learning platform.
The new Social Care Academy for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent was developed to strengthen, support and grow the adult social care workforce.
Launched as a pilot in 2025, in partnership with Skills for Care, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council, and the Staffordshire and Stoke‑on‑Trent Integrated Care Board, the Academy brings high‑quality training together in one easy‑to‑use online space. The pilot aimed to test a collaborative model of workforce development, with early results showing it has been a clear success.
The Academy’s learning portal offers free or low‑cost courses, including e‑learning, face‑to‑face sessions, bite‑size modules and training. Topics range from core care skills and leadership to dementia, medication management, autism, end‑of‑life care, and digital skills. Users can use the online Academy to track their learning, development and career pathways.
Training is open to care workers in care homes, home care, supported living, day opportunities services, personal assistants and those looking to start a career in care. This widens access and ensures the sector can build a stronger, future‑ready workforce.
Martin Rogerson, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Caring for people is one our top strategic priorities. The Social Care Academy is not only about improving access to high‑quality training, but also about recognising social care as a professional, skilled career. The success of the pilot shows the appetite within our workforce to learn, develop and progress.”
Councillor Lynn Watkins, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and All Age Commissioning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, added: “A resilient and growing social care workforce in Stoke-on-Trent has never been more important. The Academy is helping us to equip people with the skills and confidence they need, at every stage of their career.”
The Academy was built around insight from local care providers and staff, ensuring that the training reflects real workforce needs and supports long-term career development. It is also designed to save time and money by bringing all learning into one accessible portal.
Following its successful pilot year in 2025, partners will continue to develop the Academy, expanding the range of courses, commissioning new e‑learning and responding to feedback to shape future training. The Academy is expected to continue growing as a key part of the region’s long‑term social care workforce strategy.
Care workers and providers can access the Social Care Academy on its website.
