1.3e. What is the relationship between flexible working arrangements and workforce stability?

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.

Next steps

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Research fields

Related UKRI funded projects

  • Flexa - A platform to enable companies to deliver evidence-based and benchmarked flexible working practices

    Flexa, founded in 2019 by three founders that saw the societal and economic benefits of flexible working, are building an innovative AI and machine-learning driven digital platform to boost business flexibility, diversit...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: FLEXA LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project directly addresses the relationship between flexible working arrangements and workforce stability with evidence-based solutions.

  • HEALTHIER WORKING LIVES AND AGEING FOR WORKERS IN THE CARE SECTOR: DEVELOPING CAREERS, ENHANCING CONTINUITY, PROMOTING WELLBEING (HWL)

    It is generally accepted that being in good quality, safe work is beneficial for one's physical and mental wellbeing. If this is the case, being able to work healthily and happily for longer would be significant step tow...

    Funded by: ISCF

    Lead research organisation: King's College London

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on improving workforce stability in the care sector through career development, continuity, and wellbeing support.

  • Mapping the Quality of Working Life in Britain: An Occupational Approach

    While employment in Britain is at record levels, there is widespread concern many jobs are not of sufficient quality to maintain a healthy and thriving society. Growing public concern culminated in the government commiss...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: Queen Mary University of London

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project explores the quality of working life in Britain from an occupational perspective, which could provide insights into workforce stability indirectly.