Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will create a national register for care workers to improve (a) professional recognition and (b) workforce mobility.

We have launched an independent commission into adult social care, chaired by Baroness Casey. The Commission's Terms of Reference are sufficiently broad to enable Baroness Casey to define its remit to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future. This includes considering professional registration if the Commission sees fit.

There is also work underway to improve professional recognition and workforce mobility.

In April 2025, the Department published the expanded and revised Care Workforce Pathway, including a new enhanced care worker role category. These pathway role categories will guide workers in building their careers in adult social care by signposting training and development opportunities, highlighting routes for progression, and giving proper recognition to the highly skilled, complex care and support they provide. Additionally, the Learning and Development Support Scheme, backed this financial year by up to £12 million, funds learning and development opportunities, including learning outcomes outlined in the Care Workforce Pathway. Overall, this work is essential for raising the status of adult social care as a career and recognising the vital work that care professionals do.