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New data summary: How long do people work in social care, and why do they leave?

09 December 2025

We’ve published our latest data summary, which looks at how long people work in social care, and why they leave.

This summary uses data from the Register in Wales to explore whether it can give us insight into recruitment and retention.

It covers:

  • how long people have been in their current post and what that tells us about staying in social care long-term
  • the age mix of the workforce and what it means for future planning
  • why people leave social care and what this tells us about retention challenges.

Why data summaries matter

Our data summaries help you make informed decisions based on real-life data. They bring together insights from a range of sources to give you a clear picture of what’s happening in social care in Wales.

Data summaries are designed to make complex information accessible and actionable. They highlight patterns, challenges, and opportunities in social care, helping professionals, policymakers, and the public understand the bigger picture.

Explore previous summaries

If you haven’t seen our earlier data summaries, take a look at what we’ve already published:

  • How do people feel about social care in Wales?
  • Are Wales’ unpaid carers missing out on support?
  • Children in Wales at risk of exploitation
  • The economic value of adult social care in Wales

You can find all of these on our data summaries page.