does anyone know how long a provider is expected to keep contracts for?

Many thanks x

Here is the guidance for both statutory and best practice periods for document retention from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Lots of useful advice here, including keeping Personnel Files for 6 years after employment ceases.

http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/hrpract/psnlrecrd/retrecords

RR

Ah Contracts a dim and distant memory, what are these? should we have them?....................

it is illegal not to give workers a contract within a specified time of their start at work. however, you are deemed to have rights according to your working practice if not. If you haven't got one you should insist.

runs away to update contracts for (relatively) new staff