1. Improving retention among public child welfare workers: what can we learn from the insights and experiences of committed survivors?
- Author
-
Westbrook, Tonya M., Ellis, Jackie, and Ellett, Alberta J.
- Subjects
Child welfare -- Social aspects ,Workers -- Social aspects ,Human resources and labor relations ,Sociology and social work - Abstract
This study expands understanding of personal and organizational factors related to retention among public child welfare workers and supervisors from the personal experiences of highly competent, long-term employees, following the original terminology used by Ellett and Ellett (1997), we termed the committed survivors. A series of focus group interviews was completed with child welfare employees in urban, suburban, and rural settings. The results of the study are described in six sections: (a) Engagement and Involvement of Participants; (b) Reminiscence: Organizational; (c) Reminiscence: Societal; (d) Personal Characteristics; (e) Core Themes; and (f) Group Differences. Implications of the findings for local administrators, supervisors and higher-level administrators to enhance employee retention, and for social work educators are discussed, doi: 10.1300/J147v30n04_04 KEYWORDS. Employee/staff retention, child welfare workforce, professional commitment, child protective services
- Published
- 2006