07/10/2026
Care starts with people. Always. 💚
There’s a lot of focus on recruitment, vacancies and workforce numbers in social care — and rightly so.
But behind every statistic is a person.
A care worker choosing to stay late because someone needs reassurance.
A nurse picking up an extra shift.
A manager supporting their team through a difficult day.
A new starter taking their first step into a career in care.
The latest Skills for Care figures show that the vacancy rate has fallen to its lowest level in a decade — but the sector still has around 96,000 vacant posts across England.
For providers, the challenge isn't simply finding people - it's finding the right people, supporting them properly, engaging them and creating an environment where they want to stay.
At Cucumber, that's something we believe strongly in.
Good staffing isn't just about filling a shift. It's about getting the right person into the right environment so that they can make a difference.
Here's to everyone working in care today — your work matters. 👏💚
