Eighty per cent of carers recommend caring for older people as a career. Berkley Care Group commissioned a survey of 250 UK carers to understand the nature of their role. And more than 80% recommended caring for older people as a career. POSTED: Sep 21, 2026 More than eight in 10 (83%) carers would recommend caring for older people as a career, according to new research commissioned by Berkley Care Group to launch its new Portraits of Care photographic series, which depicts the special relationships between carers and residents across its 12 care homes. While UK unemployment currently stands at 4.9%, rising to 16.2% among 16 to 24-year-olds[1], England is looking to fill an estimated 470,000 additional adult social care posts by 2040[2]. Through research and its portrait series, Berkley Care Group is aiming to show what a career in elderly care can offer at a time when the country urgently needs more people to enter the profession. Berkley Care Group commissioned the study of 250 UK carers to understand the nature of the role. According to the research, carers find the greatest satisfaction in helping the people they support retain their independence (45%), while 42% say helping them retain their dignity is the most rewarding aspect of the role. The research found that relationships with the person receiving care has a lasting effect on the carers themselves. Among those who have considered leaving the care profession, more than half (55%) stayed because of their relationship with the people they support. The same proportion stayed because they knew they were making a positive difference to people's lives. Nearly three-quarters (72%) have formed a friendship with a resident that they believe will stay with them for life. Two-thirds (67%) describe the people they support as friends, extended family or among the most important people in their lives. And seven in 10 (71%) say working with older people has improved their own perspective on life. The findings come as the sector continues to face serious pressure. Around 335,000 people left adult social care jobs in England in 2024/25, representing an annual staff turnover rate of 23.1%. Although many moved into another care role, the level of movement puts continued pressure on employers and their teams. In response, Berkley Care Group has launched Portraits of Care, a photographic series designed to show the breadth of work within care and the opportunities and meaningful relationships the profession can offer. The exhibition features nine pairs of carers and residents from Berkley Care Group homes. Each portrait captures their personalities and the relationship they have built, showing the people behind a sector too often defined only by its challenges. Laura Perry, CEO at Berkley Care Group, said: "England will need hundreds of thousands more care posts in the coming years. At the same time, unemployment is rising and many younger people are struggling to find their place in the workforce. Care offers a genuine career where people can make a visible difference every day. "Care Home Catering need to be honest about the pressures facing the sector, but they should not be the only story people hear. Care is skilled and varied work, and this research shows how much it can mean to the people who choose it. "Helping a resident hold on to their dignity and independence carries enormous responsibility. The relationships carers build can also have a profound impact on their own lives. "We commissioned Portraits of Care to show the profession as it really is and encourage more people to consider where a career in care could take them." Berkley Care Group commissioned Different Gravy Studio CIC to create Portraits of Care. It was launched during Professional Care Workers' Week and is now touring Berkley Care Group homes around the country. For exhibition dates and the online Portraits of Care gallery, visit www.berkleycaregroup.co.uk. To view current vacancies and apply for a role with Berkley Care Group, visit https://www.berkleycaregroup.co.uk/careers/

Eight in ten (83%) carers would recommend caring for older people as a career. Berkley Care Group commissioned the study of 250 UK carers to understand the nature of the role with some surprising results More than eight in ten (83%) carers would recommend caring for older people as a career, according to new research commissioned by Berkley Care Group to launch its new Portraits of Care photographic series, which depicts the unique relationships between carers and residents across its 12 care homes Whilst UK unemployment currently stands at 4.9%, rising to 16.2% among 16 to 24-year-olds, England is looking to fill an estimated 470,000 additional adult social care posts by 2040[2]. Through research and its portrait series, Berkley Care Group is aiming to show what a career in elderly care can offer at a time when the country urgently needs more people to enter the profession. Berkley Care Group commissioned the study of 250 UK carers to understand the nature of the role with some surprising results. According to research, carers find the greatest satisfaction in helping the people they support remain their independence (45%), while 42% say helping them retain their dignity is the most rewarding aspect of the role. The research found that relationships with the person receiving care has a lasting effect on the carers themselves. Among those who have considered leaving the care profession, more than half (55%) stayed because of their relationship with the people they support. The same proportion stayed because they knew they were making a positive difference to people's lives. Nearly three-quarters (72%) have formed a friendship with a resident that they believe will stay with them for life. Two-thirds (67%) describe the people they support as friends, extended family or among the most important people in their lives. In fact, seven in ten (71%) say working with older people has improved their own perspective on life. The findings come as the sector continues to face serious pressure. Around 335,000 people left adult social care jobs in England in 2024/25, representing an annual staff turnover rate of 23.1%. Although many moved into another care role, the level of movement puts continued pressure on employers and their teams. In response, Berkley Care Group has launched Portraits of Care, a photographic series designed to show the breadth of work within care and the opportunities and meaningful relationships the profession can offer. The exhibition features nine pairs of carers and residents from Berkley Care Group homes. Each portrait captures their personalities and the relationship they have built, showing the people behind a sector too often defined only by its challenges. Laura Perry, CEO at Berkley Care Group, comments: "England will need hundreds of thousands more care posts in the coming years. At the same time, unemployment is rising and many younger people are struggling to find their place in the workforce. Care offers a genuine career where people can make a visible difference every day. "Home Care Insight need to be honest about the pressures facing the sector, but they should not be the only story people hear. Care is skilled and varied work, and this research shows how much it can mean to the people who choose it. "Helping a resident hold on to their dignity and independence carries enormous responsibility. The relationships carers build can also have a profound impact on their own lives. "We commissioned Portraits of Care to show the profession as it really is and encourage more people to consider where a career in care could take them." Berkley Care Group commissioned Different Gravy Studio CIC to create Portraits of Care. The arts organisation and creative studio specialises in photography and film and has previously worked with the Barbican, the Institute of Contemporary Arts, South London Gallery and the Museum of Youth Culture. Following its launch during Professional Care Workers' Week, the Portraits of Care exhibition will tour Berkley Care Group homes around the country. Residents, relatives, team members and local communities will be invited to see the portraits and discover the stories behind them. For exhibition dates and the online Portraits of Care gallery, visit www.berkleycaregroup.co.uk.