Impacts of Workplace Stress on the Retention of Social Workers: A Qualitative Study

Social work practitioners face a range of issues in the workplace. The pressures can lead to stress and burnout, with increased numbers leaving the workforce leading to challenges in the retention of a skilled and experienced workforce. Stress has increased due to current system pressures and was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reports on findings from an explorative UK study exploring local recruitment and retention issues in adult social care from the perspective of practitioners currently working in the South of England. A mixed methods approach was taken. A group of (n = 57) social work practitioners working at two local authorities completed an online questionnaire and (n = 13) were interviewed in-depth. Interviews utilised a semi-structured schedule to collect expanded reflections on issues affecting recruitment and retention. Comments relating to the nature of stress and burnout in social work, impacts of negative perceptions of the profession and possible effects on staff wellbeing discussed by the participants were themed together. Areas of potential positive change to address some of the current concerns expressed by participants, may in turn have a decisive effect on workforce retention.