Supporting those who care: Why workforce wellbeing is key to quality care:

The adult social care sector in England is facing a workforce crisis. Turnover rates in the independent sector were 26% in 2023/24[1], with an estimated 131,000 vacancies[2] at any given time. Absenteeism is also a growing issue, with 51% of care workers reporting feeling overwhelmed by stress and mental health-related absences costing the sector millions annually. High staff turnover and sickness not only puts immense pressure on care providers but also affect the quality and continuity of care for residents and their loved ones.

Supporting workforce wellbeing isn’t just the right thing to do - it’s essential for a sustainable, high-quality care system for everyone involved (whether they're care providers, carers, nurses, residents or their loved ones).

The Cost of Poor Mental Health in the Care Sector:

The financial and operational impact of poor mental health among care staff is significant and according to Care England[3],

• Sickness absence costs the sector an estimated £3.6 billion annually, with stress and mental health issues being a leading cause.
• Replacing a single care worker costs up to £6,000, meaning high turnover creates a continuous financial burden.
• Care providers face ongoing staff shortages, making it difficult to fill vacancies. This leads to increased reliance on agency workers, higher costs, and inconsistencies in care, ultimately affecting service quality and continuity for those in need.

How proactive wellbeing support can help make a positive difference:

By prioritising staff mental health, care providers can improve retention, reduce absenteeism, and enhance service quality. Data-driven wellbeing solutions offer an effective way to intervene early, support staff resilience, and create a healthier workplace culture. The benefits of something like MyMynd are clear:

• For every 100 staff, 2-4 employees could be retained who might otherwise leave due to stress and burnout.
• 20 days of sickness absence per 100 staff can be prevented, reducing pressure on already stretched teams.
• For every £1 invested in proactive wellbeing support, care providers could see an in-year return of £6.40, making it a cost-effective approach to workforce sustainability.

Aligning with CQC Requirements

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects care providers to demonstrate a commitment to staff wellbeing as part of their regulatory compliance:

• Well-Led: Leadership must prioritise staff wellbeing to maintain a resilient and effective workforce.
• Safe: Reducing stress and burnout minimises errors and risks, ensuring safer environments for both staff and residents.
• Effective: Supporting employees' mental health enables them to provide higher-quality care.

By adopting a proactive, data-led approach to workforce wellbeing, care providers can create a healthier, more engaged workforce while meeting key regulatory standards. Investing in staff mental health isn’t just an ethical decision—it’s a strategic one that strengthens the entire care system.

If you're looking to enhance staff retention, reduce absenteeism, and create a supportive workplace culture, now is the time to act.

Discover how MyMynd can help your organisation take a proactive approach to staff wellbeing. Get in touch with us today to start the conversation.

[1] Skills for Care, https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Adult-Social-Care-Workforce-Data/Workforce-intelligence/documents/Size-and-structure/The-size-and-structure-of-the-adult-social-care-workforce-in-England-2024.pdf

[2] Home Care Association, https://www.homecareassociation.org.uk/resource/skills-for-care-has-released-a-new-report-titled-the-size-and-structure-of-the-adult-social-care-workforce-in-england-workforce-supply-and-demands-trends-2023-24.html

[3] Care England, https://www.careengland.org.uk/solving-the-annual-3bn-recruitment-and-retention-cost-to-adult-social-care-providers/#:~:text=With%20a%20third%20of%20the,providers%20to%20navigate%20workforce%20challenges.%E2%80%9D