subject: Morale Boost for Social Workers, Courtesy of FireFly Locums [print this page] Morale Boost for Social Workers, Courtesy of FireFly Locums
Small touches make a big difference in a profession facing crisis.
Qualified social workers often encounter distressing situations in their day to day work. Their services to society are too easily overlooked, and their bravery should be respected and rewarded. FireFly Locums is a London based Social Care Recruitment Company which goes above and beyond to create a community amongst their candidates and provide a much needed morale boost.
FireFly Locums pride themselves on their personalised approach to social care recruitment. Rather than focussing on paperwork, FireFly organise consultations in order to get to know their candidates and ensure they are placed in the right vacancy. But the relationship they have with their candidates does not end at the point of employment. FireFly maintain contact and encourage regular feedback, demonstrating genuine concern for the social workers. In addition, they also hold social gatherings where their candidates can meet and mingle amongst other qualified social workers, creating solidarity and providing the opportunity to share their experiences.
FireFly's services coincide with a time when the LGA are trying to promote social care recruitment. Studies have shown that two in three councils report problems recruiting social workers, and forty per cent have problems retaining them. Spokesman for the LGA, Chris Lawrence-Pietroni elucidates why qualified social workers deserve to be esteemed and shown gratitude:
"Child protection social workers [in particular] have to face some of the most appalling personal and domestic circumstances which many of us couldn't possible handle. They do that on a daily basis and the do it because they want to help children. That deserves our respect"
FireFly Locums' efforts to boost morale may not seem significant, but in a job as highly stressful as that of a qualified social worker, feeling valued can make all the difference. From the feedback on their website it is evident that their candidates appreciate the sentiment. Melanie, an Advanced Social Worker is one such candidate:
"I love the attentiveness and personal touch from FireFly, like receiving a gift on my birthday and a little something on Valentine's Day, it is so special."
As a social care recruitment agency which handles a lot of locum social work, their candidates can also appreciate a level of constancy and stability which would otherwise be lacking in a locum's work. Locums' social work is a selfless career choice, they provide endless support for full time social workers without the camaraderie of a close workforce. By going above the call of duty, FireFly go some way in repaying their selflessness.
