The benefits of low staff turnover in care homes

At the centre of choosing a care home is trust. Families are not just selecting a care home for its services or location, but how much they can trust them to deliver their care for their loved one. Low staff turnover is usually a great reflection of how healthy a care home is, and how well they can deliver their care. Staff members tend to be a lot more satisfied with their working environment, leading to a high level of care.

Why does low staff turnover matter?     

Low staff turnover means that workers can maintain and build good relationships with their residents, which is essential for carrying consistent person-centred care. Staff are able to understand what residents like, dislike, routines and their preferences, which helps to shape great care around its residents. In addition, knowing a resident well means that a worker can spot subtle changes in behaviour, changes which can indicate health issues. 

Stability, trust and relationships in care settings

When staff remain in their roles for a long period of time, residents are able to receive care from the same carers, which helps them feel more secure and understood. Having the same caregivers looking after a resident means that they are able to build more stable and trusting relationships with the residents and their families, contributing to a higher level of care. 

How permanent staff improve the daily life of residents

There are many ways that permanent staff improve a resident’s wellbeing:  

Continuity of care for a better understanding of residents' needs  

Having permanent staff in place means that residents are more likely to receive better tailored high-quality care. Because they are familiar with each resident's routines, preferences and their care needs, they are able to predict and adapt to residents' needs, which in turn provides a higher level of comfort and wellbeing for residents. In addition, their consistent presence offers the time and space to build relationships with residents, offer emotional support and encourage residents to get involved in activities or social simulations in the best way.

How staff stability supports high-quality care and safety 

When there is a stable workforce in place, it contributes significantly to higher levels of care and safety. Teams who know each other well, tend to communicate more effectively and can anticipate each other’s needs. For example, staff are more likely to recognise subtle changes in a resident’s behaviour and work together to respond promptly, improving the quality of care. A consistent and stable team also supports smoother handovers, reducing the risk of important information being missed. In addition, when challenges arise, a stable team can adapt quickly and work collaboratively to resolve issues effectively.

The link between CQC ratings and staffing levels

 The CQC considers staff levels and retention as a contributing factor when rating care homes, recognising that it affects the quality of life for residents. They can be sure there are enough qualified, skilled people who receive effective support to meet resident needs. Low turnover rates are typically associated with lower CQC ratings. 

How a low turnover improves staff morale and job satisfaction

Low staff turnover does more than just keep roles filled, it creates a workplace where people can thrive in their job roles, and in turn feel more satisfied with their work life. It also means that staff are able to have better communication with each other, share knowledge and solve any problems that may arise. It creates a healthy workplace where staff can perform their job well.

Why Barchester's approach to staff stability benefits its residents 

Barchester places a strong emphasis on staff stability, the foundation of quality care. We currently have 0.4% agency usage, the lowest in the care sector, and our staff turnover sits at 27.2%. This helps us to ensure that Barchester-trained staff are on hand, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure that safety and quality standards are met, with full understanding of individual needs.

Commitment to employee well-being

We provide sector-leading training and development opportunities so staff grow their skills and careers. We also have invested in technology that has helped us improve communication and visibility between teams, and better wellbeing support for workers. We also have yearly care awards that celebrate the great work that our staff do. 

Questions to ask a care home about staff retention

When choosing what care home is best for you or a loved one, it's best to have a few questions in mind which can help reveal the quality of care that residents receive. Here are some questions you may want to ask:

1. How many permanent staff do you have versus agency staff?

2. What is the average length of service for staff?

3. Are residents typically looked after by the same caregivers?

4. What is your annual turnover rate?

5. How do you support staff wellbeing?

 What high staff turnover looks like

High staff turnover can have a noticeable effect on a resident's day-to-day. You might notice the things below:

· Inconsistent routines

· Less time for quality interactions

· Reliance on temporary or agency staff

· Poorer communication

· Repeated questions about routines