One of the biggest issues for social work and social care is the poor retention of staff. Turnover rate in adult social care is around 25% a year, compared with 15% across all sectors. Furthermore, the average working life for social workers is seven-and-a-half years, compared with 25 for doctors and 16 for nurses.
Key to the future of the sectors, then, will be encouraging staff to stay for longer – and looking after their wellbeing so that they are able to do so. Techniques such as coaching and mentoring have been suggested as ways to reduce stress and prevent staff from burning out, and a 2014 research review found that they could be helpful in social work.
But in a climate of austerity, with high workloads and staff shortages, how feasible is it to expect employers to invest in coaching and mentoring – or for workers to have the time and energy to take part?
To discuss some of these issues, we’ve put together a panel of experts from the social care sector. The discussion will take place on Wednesday 10 February, between 12 and 2pm, in the comments section below this article. Taking part is easier than ever: you can create a free Guardian account, or log in using your Twitter or Facebook profiles to comment. Alternatively, you can email us to post your questions for you.
Panellists
David Shemmings, co-director of the University of Kent’s centre for child protection, and Baljeet Nagra, group manager, London borough of Barking and Dagenham
Steve Palmer, press and public affairs manager, Social Care Institute for Excellence
Christine Partridge, certified professional facilitator, coach and trainer, Kinharvie Institute
Lisa Ann Kennedy and Sarah Rochford, project specialists, Centre for Effective Services
Graham Dexter, visiting lecturer at University of Lincoln and coach, Health and Life Transitions
Julia Foster-Turner, course leader for the MSc management in health and social care, Oxford Brookes University
Joe Godden, professional officer, British Association of Social Workers
Discussion commissioned and controlled by the Guardian, funded by Barking and Dagenham council.
