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Tell us what you value in a social work job, to help us influence what employers offer

Community Care has launched its annual jobseekers' survey, the results of which we will use to help employers attract - and also retain - social workers and other social care staff. All entrants have the chance to win one of two £50 One4All vouchers

By on August 5, 2024 in Workforce
Multi-coloured speech bubble with the question 'what do you think?'
Image: Artur/Adobe Stock

Community Care has launched its annual jobseekers’ survey to find out what social workers and other social care practitioners look for in a job.

As in previous years, the research will explore what you look for in an employer, your preferences for agency or permanent roles, or part-time or full-time work, what might tempt you to move roles and how you feel application processes should operate.

We will share the results with employers to help influence what they offer and support the recruitment and retention of social workers and staff in social care roles.

All entrants have the chance to win one of two £50 One4All vouchers.

Take part in the research

The research comes amid persistent pressures on the social work workforce.

For example, though social work vacancy rates fell in England in the year to September 2023, they remained high, at 18.9% in local authority children’s services, and 10.5% in adults’ services, compared with 2.8% in the wider economy.

In this context, social workers are a scarce resource, so it is vital that employers listen to what you as practitioners need to thrive in your roles.

Take our survey to help make this happen.

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3 Responses to Tell us what you value in a social work job, to help us influence what employers offer

  1. David August 6, 2024 at 11:49 am #

    Respect and support from managers for social workers undertaking their contracted 37 hours per week

  2. David August 7, 2024 at 12:53 am #

    A recognition that for years Social Work caseloads have been way too high, and that little has been done to address this except by resorts to bullying to get Social Workers to undertake yet more work. Other professionals, particularly in health and education have expressed the same, being forced into taking industrial action as a means of trying to address these issues, these professionals considering that they have not been listened to. For the same reasons GPs are now embarking on a “work to rule” as a means of trying to address their overwork and inadequate pay

  3. Cynthia August 9, 2024 at 8:44 am #

    I’ve long given up expecting social work shaped and managed by bureaucrats to offer me anything that I value. This is a haphazard profession where leadership is defined by “outcomes” and effective interventions by minimal contact with people we are meant to support. So the only value I have left is how much I’m earning and my anticipated pension. In a profession where cynicism, bullying and illiberality is disguised as ‘Standards’, ‘Conduct’ and ‘Performance Targets’ expecting ones personal and professional values to be respected is not only unhealthy but festers decency and pride into “what’s the point” depression. I respect Community Care journalists immensely but having none for my Leaders expect no more than platitudes if Employers bother to take time to read responses.