Retention in statutory social work from fast-track child and family programs

Bibliographic Data

ID21721445
AuthorsJonathan Scourfield (0000-0001-6218-8158, Cardiff University, corresponding author), John Carpenter (0000-0002-9253-8566, Durham University), Nell Warner (0000-0002-6347-7354, Cardiff University), Nina Maxwell (0000-0003-3931-7729, Cardiff University), Laura Venn (0000-0002-7854-3270, University of Leicester), Evgenia Stepanova (0000-0002-7397-299X, Durham University), Chloé O’Donnell (Cardiff University), Rebecca Jones (0000-0003-4609-2580, Cardiff University), Rebecca L Jones (0000-0001-9284-7425, Cardiff University), Martin Elliott (0000-0002-8062-6913, Cardiff University), Roger Smith (0000-0003-4720-0280, Durham University)
Year2023
Volume23
Issue6
Pages1022-1042
Publication date2023-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1468-0173 • E-ISSN: 1741-296X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14680173231194432
OpenAlexW4386292721
LanguageEN
References cited14

Two fast-track child and family social work training programs have been established in England — Step Up to Social Work and Frontline. Trainees’ financial support is far higher than for mainstream social work degrees. One of the reasons claimed for setting up these programs is addressing retention, although critics (of Frontline) predicted graduates would not stay in social work. A 4-year study assessed retention and reasons for leaving social work. Attrition rates from statutory social work were calculated from responses ( n = 2543) to annual surveys, plus looking up non-respondents in the professional register. Interviews were conducted with fast-track graduates ( n = 80) and employers ( n = 29). Findings The overall rate of social work graduates not in statutory social work at 18 months post-qualification was 12% for fast-track programs, and Higher Education Statistics Agency survey data show attrition at 15 months post-qualification as 18% for all social work routes. Frontline's original national recruitment approach was less successful for retention than Step Up to Social Work's regional approach. Perceived local authority support and intrinsic job satisfaction were associated with attrition in longitudinal bivariate analysis. Fast-track graduates leaving statutory social work typically moved to work in social care (including policy roles), health, or education. Applications Early-career attrition appears to be somewhat lower from fast-track programs than from all social work graduates. Longer-term comparison is not yet possible. In promoting retention, employers should be aware of the importance of staff perceptions of the local authority as supportive, and of their intrinsic job satisfaction

Attrition · Business · Mainstream · Medical education · Political science · Public relations · Retention rate · Sociology · Statutory law · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work · Marketing

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