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Discover why workforce retention matters in adult social care and explore practical guidance to build a stable, skilled and sustainable workforce that delivers high-quality care.

Retaining skilled and experienced staff is one of the biggest opportunities to strengthen the adult social care workforce. 

While vacancy rates have improved in recent years, adult social care continues to face significant workforce challenges, including high turnover in some parts of the sector and increasing demand for care and support. Changes to national policy also mean providers must place greater emphasis on developing and retaining the domestic workforce. 

Improving retention helps organisations build a stable, skilled, and sustainable workforce. It also supports better experiences for staff and better outcomes for people who draw on care and support.  

What helps people stay? 

Research shows that people rarely leave or stay for just one reason. Retention is shaped by the overall employment experience, including: 

• supportive leadership  

• positive workplace culture  

• fair employment practices  

• opportunities to learn and develop  

• feeling valued, respected, and included.  

Evidence, including research by Edge Hill University, shows that organisations taking a whole-organisation approach to retention are more likely to achieve lasting improvements than those relying on individual initiatives alone. 

Why investing in retention benefits everyone 

Improving retention has benefits across the whole adult social care system. 

For employers 

Retaining experienced staff can help: 

• reduce recruitment and onboarding costs  

• improve workforce stability  

• strengthen team relationships  

• increase productivity and confidence  

• support high-quality, person-centred care.  

• For commissioners and system partners 

Higher retention helps to improve market sustainability, reduce reliance on agency workers, strengthen continuity across services, support long-term workforce planning and for people who draw on care and support.

A stable workforce means people are more likely to: 

• receive consistent care from familiar staff  

• build trusting relationships  

• experience safer, more personalised care  

• achieve better outcomes and wellbeing. 

The impact of poor retention 

High staff turnover can have a significant impact on organisations and the people they support. 

It can lead to: 

• increased recruitment and training costs  

• disruption to teams and services  

• greater pressure on remaining staff  

• reduced continuity of care  

• increased risks to quality, safety, and staff wellbeing.  

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