Care Sourcer launches wellbeing programme to promote staff retention

Care Sourcer has launched a free health and wellbeing support programme for employees of all UK care providers.

The comparison and matching site for elderly care said the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) will benefit over 800,000 care workers and improve staff retention.

It will provide a support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance 24/7, covering a range of issues including mental or physical stress, bereavement of clients or residents they have formed close bonds with, money worries, and general low morale.

Stress, depression, anxiety and sickness are highly prevalent amongst care workers and can force them to take extended time off work, or even leave their jobs, Care Sourcer said.

Legal & General will fund the EAP for the first 12 months of its operation.

Andrew Parfery, CEO of Care Sourcer said:“Care workers are local heroes; they dedicate their lives to caring for others but often there is no one to care for them in their time of need. Stress and depression, a lack of confidence and anxiety are all big challenges facing people in the care workforce.

“Improving the retention of staff is central to creating a better care system. Our EAP will support providers to better the work-life balance of their caring staff, supporting them in their time of need, and ultimately help care homes and at home care companies to build sustainable, quality-driven businesses.”

Steve Ellis, CEO of Legal & General Retirement Living Solutions said: “We invested in Care Sourcer as we want to help transform the care sector by making it better for both those in need of care and the care workers that work so hard to support thousands of people across the UK.”