Half of voluntary sector staff leave role within a year

Almost half of voluntary sector social care staff leave their jobs within a year and almost two-thirds quit within two years, a survey of almost 38,000 staff published yesterday found.

In its annual personnel survey the National Care Forum, which represents not-for-profit residential and domiciliary providers, said 45.2 per cent left within a year, up from 43.4 per cent in 2005, and 62.7 per cent left within two.

The study said that this was a “major source of concern for providers” given the relationship between staff continuity and service quality.

The NCF surveyed 29 members, three-quarters of which employed more than 500 workers.