1.3c. How does workforce instability, including high turnover and reliance on agency staff, affect the quality of care, education and/or safeguarding outcomes for children, young people and learners?

Background

Improving the quality of education and care for children, young people and learners depends on a stable, skilled and supported workforce. Recruitment and retention continue to present significant challenges across all sectors. This is driven by factors such as low pay, high workloads, stress, pupil behaviour and negative perceptions of certain roles. High staff turnover rates and providers’ reliance on agency staff can undermine stability and impact care, learning and safeguarding. Addressing these issues requires strategies that attract qualified professionals, promote inclusion and provide robust training, development opportunities, and wellbeing support. It is essential to understand workforce mobility and diversity gaps in order to create evidence-based solutions that strengthen capability and ensure the workforce reflects the communities it serves. This ultimately improves outcomes for children, young people and learners.