Maintaining Workers Resolve: Examining Influential Factors and Supports Leading to Long-Term Worker Permanence in Child Welfare

Abstract

Retention of experienced workers is an ongoing challenge in child protection social work. The purpose of this study is to understand more about the permanence of frontline child protection workers, where permanence is defined as ten or more consecutive years of frontline practice. Using a qualitative narrative methodology, supported by anti-oppressive theory, conversational interviews were conducted with experienced frontline child protection workers. Through narrative analysis of these interviews, I uncover some of the impacts and influence on worker permanence.