Professor Hugh McLaughlin will be presenting the findings of a longitudinal study of local authority child and family social workers.

This presentation is focused on the concern about the retention of children’s social workers in England. Retention of workers is seen as a major issue for the delivery of quality services for service users, stability of workforces and the development of social work. The research is significant as it does not rely on social workers’ intentions, but focuses on 40 social workers 10 of whom had indicated they would remain with their current employer and did so and 10 who did not. Twenty others indicated they would leave within 12 months of whom 10 did leave and 10 who stayed. The presentation examines the reasons for the different outcomes and provides some directions for improved retention but also questions whether a workforce without turnover is a positive thing.

Please book on Eventbrite for this online-only event.

This event is part of Contemporary issues and debates in social work education, research and practice.