Being a social worker is no easy feat.
Practitioners face a mountain of challenges: limited resources, high caseloads, increasingly complex needs, staff shortages and pay increases that have been criticised as inadequate.
Yet, while inadequate pay is frequently cited as a reason for practitioners leaving permanent roles, a recent Community Care poll suggests a different story.
Management key to retention
Of around 2,200 respondents, 62% named "unsupportive management" as more likely to make them leave an employer than inadequate pay, with the rest stating the opposite.
'Management can make or break practitioners' confidence'
A recent Community Care article, based on the views of experienced social workers, highlighted the value of good management to practitioners' experience of their roles.Senior social worker Naomi credited her manager’s support for helping her find her footing when she first stared out.
“I’ve moved on to roles since where the manager hasn’t been supportive and that makes your job 10 times harder," she said. "If you’ve got a supportive, understanding manager, it’s very helpful."
However, Janet, an agency worker with over 30 years' experience, told Community Care that management has now become more "oppressive", compared to when she qualified.
“It can eat away your confidence and how you feel about being a social worker if you’re working in an environment that feels quite stressful and micromanaged.”
What makes for supportive management in social work?
