That’s one of the findings of the latest Social Work and Workforce Health Checks, annual surveys which assess the health and wellbeing of social workers and other frontline practitioners within Children’s Services.
Practitioners said that they take pride in their job, and that they feel the council promotes relationship working and a ‘strengths based approach’, which helps them to support children, young people and families in the city to achieve positive outcomes.
The surveys also found that, while some practitioners are working over their contracted hours, the majority feel that the council supports them to make time for their own self care and wellbeing, with social workers reporting more manageable workloads and reduced stress this year.
A report due to go to Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel on Wednesday (6 March, 2024) states that, this year, more practitioners said that they are satisfied with the learning and development opportunities available to them, and more said they plan to stay with the council in the year ahead.
Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “In Wolverhampton we are proud that the majority of practitioners across the service continue to see their future with Wolverhampton, and we want to do all we can to support them in their role.
“Feedback from these surveys have helped us to identify actions that aim to further improve the health and wellbeing of our social workers and wider workforce, and we will continue work together to achieve this”.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, added: “I want to firstly recognise the passion and dedication of our colleagues in Children’s Services, who work incredibly hard, often in very difficult circumstances, to support children, young people, and families.
“We know that having a happy and healthy workforce is the first step in ensuring that children and young people have the support they need to achieve and reach their full potential, and we are pleased that colleagues within Education have had the chance to participate in this survey this year to have their say and contribute to actions to support them in their roles”.
For more information about social work jobs available with the City of Wolverhampton Council, please visit Wolverhampton Social Work Jobs.
