Factors Affecting ‘Attrition’ in Helping Professions: The Implications for Educational Psychology Within the UK

Many local authority educational psychology services (EPSs) have reported experiencing difficulties with recruiting and retaining educational psychologists (EPs). Increasing statutory workloads and a reduction in diversity of work have been identified as potential factors in EP workforce supply difficulties. In order to further extend understanding of EP workforce supply, this systematic literature review investigates what factors typically affect recruitment, retention and attrition across helping professions. Including studies from professions such as social care, nursing and teaching, salient recruitment/retention factors included level of experience, workload demands, working relationships, leadership and workplace culture. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.