Social Work Workforce: What have we learned from a decade of research?

Paula McFadden is a Professor in Social Work at Ulster University, Northern Ireland.  Her research interests are centred on social work workforce wellbeing, resilience, burnout, retention and turnover. Paula has conducted several regional, national and international research studies, examining burnout in social workers, working conditions, workforce ageing, and wellbeing and coping during COVID-19 for health and social care professions. More recently, Paula was commissioned by the Department of Health, to conduct ‘Safer and effective staffing in Social Work’ research, in preparation for policy and legislative changes in this area (2025-2027).

Professor McFadden’s research aims to highlight concerns about the impact of social worker turnover on service users, carers and families. The work aims to inform recommendations for government and commissioners on evidence based policy and practice changes to promote retention and stability in the social work workforce.

Inaugural Lecture, Professor Paula McFadden: Examining the moral and fiscal costs of turnover and retention issues in social work practice.

Professor McFadden has examined social work workforce concerns for over a decade, starting with a PhD in 'Resilience and Burnout in Child Protection Social Work' in 2013 and subsequently leading regional, national, and international research projects on a range of aspects of workforce concerns for social work and health professionals. The inaugural lecture aims to bring together the key messages from research to date and set the context for future studies including the need to focus on the consequences of workforce concerns in social work at multiple levels. Specifically, the impact of turnover on service recipients, carers and families, social workers, and employing organizations. Fiscal costs of turnover in social work are noted, showing that 'doing more of the same' is neither economically efficient nor sustainable. Concluding remarks will contain clear messages about the importance of evidence based workforce planning, including recognition of fiscal and moral responsibilities of government and commissioners to 'get this right' for the most vulnerable individuals and groups in society.

Formal Proceedings: 5-6 pm Great Hall, MD102

Drinks Reception 6-7 pm Minor Hall, MD106

Parking available: Please message Ms Amber Crozier a.crozier@ulster.ac.uk if disability car parking is needed or if there are special dietary requirements.