UK Social Care Workers’ Intention to Leave During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Analysis

Background: The UK’s social care sector, employing 1.6 million workers, faces profound challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores the nuanced factors influencing care workers’ intentions to leave the current employer and sector altogether during this critical period. Methods: Utilising a two-wave online longitudinal survey, data from 1,791 care workers were analysed. The survey included adapted questions from validated workforce surveys and qualitative insights from stakeholders during the pandemic. Findings: There is a complex interplay of factors influencing care workers’ intentions to leave. High job satisfaction is associated with lower intent to leave. Yet, disparities in satisfaction with pay, promotion, and work-life balance persist. The pandemic appeared to impact intention to leave minimally but heightened abuse instances. Visible markers—notably colour—emerged as significant factors, emphasising the need for tailored interventions. Strong job support is associated with increased intent to leave, underscoring the fine employee-manager relationship. The middle-aged group showed the highest intent to leave, warranting further exploration. Implications: Tailored interventions acknowledging the intersectionality of age, gender, and race are crucial for enhancing job retention in the social care sector. A comprehensive long-term care workforce strategy is urgently needed, addressing immediate concerns and deep-rooted challenges to empower the entire workforce. Collaborative efforts are essential for crafting sustainable solutions that support and uplift the social care workforce.