The main objective was to develop tools and resources that help answer a key question: How to recruit and retain the right staff for the social services sector? The project aimed to make a tangible impact by enhancing the (soft) skills of directors, HR managers, and recruiters, enabling them to create a more attractive and stable work environment. Through cross-country collaboration, the project sought to identify and document good practices, develop a vocational training programme, and produce digital tools to support HR professionals in social services.
The social services sector is one of the largest employers in Europe, yet it faces a critical shortage of qualified staff due to high turnover, challenging working conditions, and relatively low wages. Many employers struggle to attract and retain motivated workers, which threatens the quality and sustainability of care services. While systemic factors like wages were beyond the scope of this project, the partnership focused on practical HR strategies to improve workforce stability. The project leveraged the experience of participating organizations to share effective recruitment and retention practices, providing social service managers and HR professionals with concrete tools to address these challenges.