Burnout in Child Protection Work

The experience of child protection has been documented in a study (not yet published) of child protection workers in Northern Ireland. The research has been conducted in the province since 2009, gathering data on five characteristics of resilience, organisational factors and demographic variables. Lowered resilience among staff often started with an excessive workload, leading to emotional exhaustion, de-personalisation and low levels of personal accomplishment. More information is available in the Guardian, 23 April, 2013.

Resilient or burned out?

This months issue of the British Journal of Social Work carries an article which should be of interest to those preparing for a career in social work:
Kinman, G. & Grant, L. (2011). Exploring stress resilience in trainee social workers: the role of emotional and social competencies. British Journal of Social Work, 41 (2), pp. 261-275.

Nature builds resilience

Harrison, T., (2010). Lessons from the natural world. Special Children, Feb/March 2010, pp. 18-20. Harrison is one of a team from Camphill School, Aberdeen, running the Nature Nurture project, which aims to build the resilience of young children from families affected by alcohol/substance misuse, poverty or domestic violence, though play in the natural world. Find it at Jordanhill serials 371.9.

Resilience in the early years.

The latest edition of Nursery World includes an article on how early years practiioners can help young children lving with domestic violence. Stephens, K (2010). Staying strong. February 11, 2010, pp. 24-25.