Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: 

“Retaining and recruiting care workers is one of the highest priorities for the social care sector right now - and will remain so if we are going to meet the demand for social care in this country now and in the future.  

“The current turnover is proving an insurmountable problem for families providing unpaid care who struggle without consistent paid social care and support, often needing to retrain and re-brief new care staff. 

“Worse, the lack of continuity causes many families to go without care altogether as it becomes too stressful to manage and doesn't constitute a break or the support that it's really intended to give. Families are put in an impossible situation time again, putting pressure on their work, relationships and leaving them in poorer health as they end up taking on more care. 

“Urgent action is desperately needed to keep care workers in the profession, and as part of that the Government must make sure there is sustainable funding for social care so that unpaid carers and people receiving care get the support they need to enjoy quality of life.”