Quality jobs and best practice care: Improving homecare staff engagement within a consumer directed care environment

This report provides insight into the experiences of frontline Home Care workers and operational staff within a Consumer Directed Care model of aged care. The aim of this report is to further demonstrate the critical link that exists between workers’ engagement in their job and the provision of quality aged care. The research expands on previous studies in this area to highlight that a satisfied, engaged workforce improves staff retention and their capacity to care, thus directly contributing to continuity of care that meets the needs of people requiring support. This report does not seek to explore the macro or policy level issues of Consumer Directed Care, but rather aims to advocate for the experiences of frontline staff and how they can be better engaged and supported within the limitations of the current model, to help them undertake their job and in turn improve services for people they care for.