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A qualitative study exploring why younger people enter adult social care, what they value about the work, and the factors influencing their decisions to stay or leave.
Key statistics
Key messages
Policy implications
Gaps
Commentary
This study provides insight into how younger people experience work in adult social care, highlighting both the appeal of relational care and the challenges of sustaining a career in the sector. Participants valued the sense of purpose and connection that care work offered, but often struggled to see a future within the role. A lack of structured training, limited shadowing and unclear progression routes emerged as key factors undermining retention. These issues were compounded by workload pressures and burnout, leading many younger workers to view social care as a short-term option rather than a viable career.
For equitable care, the findings raise concerns about who is able to remain in the workforce. When early-career workers leave due to poor support and limited progression, the sector risks becoming less diverse in age and experience. This has implications for workforce sustainability and for people drawing on care, who may experience greater turnover and reduced continuity.
Overall, the study suggests that improving retention among younger workers requires more than recruitment campaigns. Creating equitable opportunities for training, progression and wellbeing is essential if adult social care is to attract and retain the next generation of workers and provide consistent, high-quality care.
A study examining safety inequities experienced by people with learning disabilities in English health and social care, drawing on lived experiences from focus groups and patient feedback narratives.
A systematic review examining interventions designed to reduce inequities in dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic care across multiple countries, focusing on individual, community and health system solutions.
A qualitative study examining how newly qualified social workers in England experience and respond to racism in practice, and how social work education prepares them to challenge racism in health and social care contexts.
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Analysis examining how social policies in England and Wales fail to address the needs of Autistic adults, focusing on barriers in health services and social care systems.
A study examining safety inequities experienced by people with learning disabilities in English health and social care, drawing on lived experiences from focus groups and patient feedback narratives.
A systematic review examining interventions designed to reduce inequities in dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic care across multiple countries, focusing on individual, community and health system solutions.
A qualitative study examining how newly qualified social workers in England experience and respond to racism in practice, and how social work education prepares them to challenge racism in health and social care contexts.
A national study exploring practical solutions to reduce inequalities in dementia diagnosis and care across England, drawing on workshops with people with dementia, carers, professionals and third sector organisations.
A policy-focused review examining barriers to dementia care access for Black and minoritised communities in the UK, highlighting gaps between national policy ambitions and local service delivery.
