Call us: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm, Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm
Call local rate 0330 056 3171
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm
Call local rate 0330 056 3171
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm

‘Help social workers stay in the job for longer’

Social workers need more help to deal with the stresses of the job, academics have claimed.

Professor Gail Kinman and Dr Louise Grant, both at the University of Bedfordshire, believe managers can play a valuable role in helping social workers cope with the pressures they face on a daily basis, and say individuals should not be left to cope entirely without support.

Professor Kinman explained:

“Social workers have an extremely stressful job that is emotionally demanding. With sickness and retention problems affecting the whole sector, we need to look at ways to help social workers keep working.”

Dr Grant added:

“For social workers to thrive in social work practice they need support from effective team managers and an organisation that values the wellbeing of their staff.”

She added:

“We need to see some changes at every level of the profession. Managers need to make the emotional wellbeing of their workforce a priority and take it seriously. It is not fair to assume the individual can be emotionally resilient without support.”

In addition to responsive management policies, the authors recommend greater focus on helping social workers to value their own emotional wellbeing throughout their careers.

The average social worker only stays in the profession for eight years.

The report was entitled Building emotional resilience in the children and families workforce – an evidence-informed approach. It is available here.

The blog team at Stowe is a group of writers based across our family law offices who share their advice on the wellbeing and emotional aspects of divorce or separation from personal experience. As well as pieces from our family law solicitors, guest contributors also regularly contribute to share their knowledge.

Contact us

As the UK's largest family law firm we understand that every case is personal.

Comment(1)

  1. Karen McClure-Carr says:

    Well said,I am glad that the burn out issue is finally on the front burner.As a current medical social worker I must tackle each day with my self care in mind (what I am I doing after work today to revitalize me). I was fortunate to have seasoned SW teach me self care after graduation. I try to pass this gift on to new graduates.
    Self care is critical if one wants to continue flourishing in this business.

Leave a comment

Help & advice categories

Subscribe
?
Get
more
advice
Close

Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up for advice on divorce and relationships from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts.

What type of information are you looking for?


Privacy Policy
Close
Close