Jon Wilson, Senior Vice President, Deputy
The landscape of care services is evolving, reshaping the dynamics of its workforce. Forward-thinking businesses are departing from traditional operational models and gravitating towards flexibility – a strategy centred on aligning staffing levels with real-time care demand.
This approach presents advantages for both care operators and care workers. The latest Deputy data highlights just how important flexibility is to care workers, with 46% saying the ability to fit in other commitments is a top priority for them and 45% saying schedule flexibility matters. In fact, 29% said they would change jobs for more flexible working hours.
The customary reliance on costly agency staffing can be avoided when flexible working and dynamic workforce planning combine. This enables operators to increase staffing during peak demand and prevents overstaffing during quieter periods, ultimately optimising cost-efficiency and care quality.
Historically, many care operators have relied on manual record-keeping. However, this is changing. In pursuit of cost savings, improved employee experiences, and alignment with employment regulations, care leaders are progressively digitising operations which goes hand in hand with providing flexibility. In fact 50% of care workers now track their paid annual leave using an app.
With the ongoing staffing crisis in the sector, workforce management solutions are emerging as a potent remedy. This app-based technology addresses staffing deficiencies, helps to elevate care standards and enhances the overall employee experience.
The overarching goal is to achieve a balance between workforce flexibility and resident care requirements. This prompts a re-evaluation of conventional norms such as fixed 6- or 12-hour shifts, potentially exploring agile alternatives that factor in occupancy fluctuations.
The ultimate solution to the problem of not having enough staff lies in making care jobs fulfilling and improving the experience for the people who work in care. The good news is that, according to our data, 47% of care workers in the UK love their job, 37% enjoy work and 17% are content. Offering flexible shifts is a big part of this.
The care sector needs to make sure that working in care is seen as a good career choice, where people can learn, grow, and are treated well. Our report highlighted that 30% of UK care workers would like to move up at their current company.
Providing care workers with greater control over their work schedules often improves employee morale, which then translates to better care for the people they look after. Embracing flexibility can also help to ensure consistent provision of care to a patient or resident from the same employees, enhancing knowledge, trust and relationships.
Technology can help facilitate this, whilst reducing the amount of money spent on hiring agency staff by letting team members easily pick up shifts that are available. It makes it easier for staff to swap shifts without admin for management, which improves efficiency. For example, a major care provider managed to spend 15% less on agency staff just by using an app to manage shifts and team availability.
Care service providers don’t need to become IT experts. They just need to focus on making things work better for their staff and the people they care for. Cloud-based technology and mobile apps that can easily be used by entire teams can deliver this transformation.
Overall, a more flexible approach has the potential to revolutionise the way care works. By leveraging the expertise and agile nature of a diverse range of employees, businesses can improve their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and provide better outcomes for the people who rely on their care. With the right approach, operators large and small can provide their employees with the flexibility, autonomy and job satisfaction that they crave, leading to improved employee engagement and retention.
