A new report offers an insight into the care sector’s struggle to retain staff after almost 400,000 carers left their jobs in a year.

Skills for Care has published its annual State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England report and announced plans to develop a workforce strategy.

The report covers the year from April 2022 to March 2023, which saw the workforce grow by 1%, largely driven by an increase in international recruitment.

The period saw no end to historic recruitment and retention problems, however, with 390,00 carers leaving their jobs – a third quitting the sector altogether – and 152,000 daily vacancies.

The workforce represents a ‘leaky bucket that we urgently need to repair,’ according to Skills for Care.

Five factors are described by the report as key to retaining staff: being paid more than the minimum wage; not being on a zero-hours contract; being able to work full-time; being able to access training and having a relevant qualification.

Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green said: ‘International recruitment is currently propping up the sector.

‘We must use this report to inform a renewed drive to recruit and retain domestically.’

Skills for Care CEO Oonagh Smyth said: ‘We can’t simply recruit our way out of our retention challenges.

‘So, we need a comprehensive workforce strategy to ensure we can both attract and keep enough people with the right skills to support everyone who draws on care and support.’

Chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, David Fothergill, said: ‘A dedicated plan to promote, protect, support and develop careers in social care, alongside parity of pay and terms and conditions with the NHS for comparable roles, both strengthen the wellbeing and recognition of those who work in this essential vocation, and benefit the people who draw on care.’

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