The right staff have the potential to reframe a childhood: How can we stop them leaving social care?
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I believe the backbone of any successful organisation lies in its people and this is prevalent at Kibble, where our staff play a crucial role in providing the necessary care, support, stability and safety, creating a nurturing and therapeutic environment for the young people they work with.
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Hide AdHowever, the Health and Social Work sector are facing a significant challenge in workforce retention, with turnover rates around 36%—more than double the 15% seen in most other industries. With the CCPS reporting that half of its benchmarking report respondents said hiring staff will be more difficult, we must look closely at how we can address this.
While high turnover disrupts operations, the real impact is felt by the young people who lose the trusted relationships they have built with their caregivers. It is vital that we curb this trend to protect both our staff and the young people we support.
To retain talent, we need to focus on preserving these relationships and retaining experienced professionals. Thankfully, innovative approaches across the sector are being implemented to address retention, and by sharing best practices, we can work together to prevent the continued outward flow of skilled workers.
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Hide AdAt Kibble, our approach emphasises personal development as the key to retention. By investing in training, education, and career advancement, we not only futureproof our organisation but also create a motivated, ambitious workforce who bring fresh ideas and passion into the sector.
Each year, we support up to 65 staff members with further education, ranging from business administration to masters-level qualifications in residential care. This investment not only strengthens our business but, more importantly, provides consistency and reliability for the young people we care for.
For children who have experienced trauma, stability is essential. Losing a trusted caregiver can be devastating, which is why we strive to create an environment where our staff can thrive and build long-lasting relationships with the young people they work with.
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Hide AdIn addition to providing educational opportunities for existing staff, we have designed accessible entry-level roles through our Career Start programme, which offers on-the-job training paired with college-level education, allowing individuals to earn while they learn to become a Child and Youth Care Worker.
Successful participants graduate with a HNC in Social Care while receiving the Scottish Living Wage, helping remove the financial barriers that often prevent people from entering the sector. This initiative has uncovered a wealth of untapped talent — people with life experience, empathy, and resilience, who can make a difference working with vulnerable young people.
Offering diverse, flexible employment pathways helps break this pattern, ensuring a broader range of people can join and thrive in the social care workforce.
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Hide AdKibble has made significant strides in addressing recruitment and retention challenges. An advantageous employee benefits pack is provided to all Kibble employees. However, there is much more to be done. By sharing successful strategies and collaborating across the sector, we can build a more sustainable workforce.
Ultimately, the most important reason for retaining staff is not the financial benefit to the organisation, but the wellbeing of the young people in our care. The right role model can reshape a child’s future, restore their ambitions, and give them a renewed sense of belonging. Retaining talent in social care is essential to providing the best care to the young people we look after and support.
Jim Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, Kibble Group