STAFF TURNOVER IN ORDINARY HOUSING SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE ORPROFOUND MENTAL-HANDICAPS

The characteristics and turnover of direct-care staff in two housing s ervices for adults with moderate, severe or profound mental handicaps are described. Both staff groups were predominantly female with a good representation of staff aged under 30, and between 30 and 50 years. M ost had prior experience in a caring capacity before taking up their c urrent posts, but only a quarter to a third had a relevant vocational qualification. Turnover was similar in the two services, but varied co nsiderably between settings in each. Average annual turnover ranged fr om 8 to 39% in one and from 5 to 48% in the other. However, most house s still had a core of long-serving staff providing continuity over tim e. The implications of the level of staff turnover found for managemen t and staff training are discussed, as are the reasons for leaving giv en by former staff of one of the services, together with their views o n job satisfaction, conditions of work, and the adequacy of management and training.