As we move forward out of the post-pandemic era, where resource shortages were rife, staff retention remains a critical challenge for care home managers.
In adult social care, staff turnover rates in UK care homes sat at around 29%in June 2023, according to data published by the CQC.[1] While this is a slight drop on the previous year, this is still an extremely high churn rate in an industry where stability and continuity of care is paramount. Poor staff retention can have hugely detrimental impacts on settings delivering high quality, person-centred care.
At Syncurio, we understand that fostering a supportive work environment goes hand-in-hand with utilising efficient management systems to cultivate a thriving care team.
Read on for our top tips to improve staff retention in your care setting.
1. Prioritise training and development.
Invest in continuous training to enhance the skills of your care home staff. By providing opportunities for professional growth, you not only improve the capabilities of your team but also demonstrate a commitment to their long-term success and job satisfaction.
2. Implement recognition programs.
Establish formal recognition programs to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and achievements of your team. Regularly highlighting their contributions promotes a positive work culture, boosts morale, and contributes to a sense of pride and accomplishment.
3. Encourage open communication.
Establish clear channels for feedback between management and staff and ensure that any concerns are addressed promptly. Transparent communication builds trust, enhances teamwork, and creates a sense of belonging among employees.
4. Promote health and wellness.
Care for your carers. Prioritise the wellbeing of your care home staff by implementing health and wellness initiatives. Whether this is mental health support, fitness programs, or access to wellness resources, by placing a focus on this area not only has a positive effect on their own health and wellbeing but will contribute to them feeling more engaged and motivated, and will ultimately help to improve resident outcomes too.
5. Streamline your resource management.
This is where Syncurio can help as we know that efficient resource management can play a key role in staff retention. Our dynamic recruitment tracking equips care home managers with vital intelligence, reducing reliance on agency staff – which can cause inconsistency in care as well as impacting the ability to form a cohesive team.
Syncurio’s comprehensive insights can help managers move their focus and reliance away from agency contracts and build a dedicated workforce mapped against operational needs. The intelligent systems ensure an equitable distribution of shifts, providing employees with improved job security and a sense of belonging.
This in turn will result in better, more consistent, and compassionate care within care homes, benefiting both staff and residents.
Syncurio: A software solution and partner in business
Together with Syncurio, care homes can change their approach to staff retention. With the system operations taken care of, which feed into the overall quality of the daily management of the care home, care home managers can focus on other initiatives that will help improve staff churn, enhance team morale and improve the overall quality of care provided to residents.
As the industry seeks more efficient and cohesive staffing solutions, Syncurio stands as a pioneering platform, empowering care homes to thrive in delivering exceptional care while ensuring a stable, dedicated, and united team.
For your FREE demo contact us today: 020 4525 0299 / sales@syncurio.co.uk
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[1] https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/major-report/state-care/2022-2023/workforce#:~:text=In%20adult%20social%20care%2C%20according,June%202023%20(figure%2018).
