People working in care are happier than they were 12 months ago, according to research from staffing software firm Deputy.

The number of care workers who reported feeling “amazing” or “good” after their shift rose by 25% between 2022 and 2023, from 51% to 64%.

Workers recorded how they felt at the end of their shift, with 26,259 responses between January and June 2023.

In 2023, 26% said they felt amazing, up from 23% in 2022, and 38% felt good, up from 28% in 2022.

The proportion who said they felt stressed at the end of their shift remained at 4% in both years.

Jon Wilson, senior vice president at Deputy, said: “We know just how tough conditions have been for those working in the sector over the last few years and we’re really impressed by the improvements our customers have been making to really look after their staff and to make sure they feel valued. From the data on our platform we know that some care employers have been looking for ways to improve flexibility and conditions for their staff, in some cases introducing six hour shifts as well as 12 hour shifts.”

The research also found care workers are being given more notice of their shift dates, with the average number of days’ notice rising from 21.5 days to 28 days. 

“We know that a lack of forward planning can be incredibly stressful for shift workers, especially for those who need to plan childcare for their shifts or people who work multiple jobs,” said Wilson. “These are really good indicators that positive changes are being made in the UK care industry to prioritise the welfare of team members.”