2 results
Work-related resources and demands predicting the psychological well-being of staff in children’s hospices
- Andre Bedendo, Andrew Papworth, Jo Taylor, Bryony Beresford, Suzanne Mukherjee, Lorna K. Fraser, Lucy Ziegler
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- Journal:
- Palliative & Supportive Care / Volume 21 / Issue 6 / December 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 November 2023, pp. 1024-1033
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- Article
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Objectives
This study assessed the work-related resources and demands experienced by children’s hospice staff to help identify staff support systems and organizational practices that offer the most potential to prevent staff burnout and enhance well-being at work.
MethodsThe relationships between individual and organizational characteristics, work-related resources and demands, and burnout and work engagement outcomes experienced by children’s hospice staff were explored using two surveys: the Children’s Hospice Staff survey, completed by UK children’s hospice staff, and the Children’s Hospice Organisation and Management survey, completed by the Heads of Care. We used structural equation modeling to assess the relationships between the variables derived from the survey measures and to test a model underpinned by the Job Demands-Resource (JD-R) theory.
ResultsThere were 583 staff responses from 32 hospices, and 414 participants provided valid data for burnout and work engagement outcome measures. Most participants were females (95.4%), aged 51–65 years old (31.3%), and had more than 15 years of experience in life-limiting conditions (29.7%). The average score for burnout was 32.5 (SD: 13.1), and the average score for work engagement was 7.5 (SD: 1.5). The structural model validity showed good fit. Demands significantly predicted burnout (b = 4.65, p ≤ 0.001), and resources predicted work engagement (b = 3.09, p ≤ 0.001). The interaction between resources and demands only predicted work engagement (b = −0.31, p = 0.115). Burnout did not predict work engagement (b = −0.09, p = 0.194).
Significance of resultsThe results partly supported the JD-R model, with a clear association between resources and work engagement, even when the demands were considered. Demands were only directly associated with burnout. The findings also identified a set of the most relevant aspects related to resources and demands, which can be used to assess and improve staff psychological well-being in children’s hospices in the UK.
Twelve - FGCs and adult social care
- Edited by Deanna Edwards, University of Salford, Kate Parkinson, University of Salford
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- Book:
- Family Group Conferences in Social Work
- Published by:
- Bristol University Press
- Published online:
- 14 April 2022
- Print publication:
- 27 June 2018, pp 183-204
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Summary
Introduction
Using family group conferencing with vulnerable adults has been viewed for a long time as an idea with real potential. Why? Evidence from innovative practice in children's FGCs (documented elsewhere in this book), research from the Netherlands and policy developments in adult social care and mental health (which are dealt with in this chapter) have all been sources for optimism.
In 2010, the Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit (Ogilvie and Williams, 2010) gave encouragement to those who were considering using FGCs with adults. It urged more local authorities to develop FGC work, throwing down the gauntlet, suggesting that a ‘routine offer’ for FGC could become part of practice in the future (Local Government Association, 2013). Like a slow train picking up speed there have been practice developments in the UK: a burgeoning practice network, a few established adult FGC services (some longstanding) and the application of the model across an increasing number of service user groups and areas of concern.
This chapter draws upon key research and writing on the use of FGCs with vulnerable adults. Key features of FGCs in adult social care will be addressed by the chapter – including its history, its current practice, and potential points of development. The research and feedback analysed here is encouraging, showing FGCs in adult social care to be both constructive and productive (Marsh with Kent Adult FGC Service, 2007; Camden Family Group Conference Service, 2015).
FGCs for adults: a sketch across Britain
At the time of writing (February 2017), established FGC practices vary widely in their length of operation, however the number of authorities running or considering running a service continues to grow significantly.
• Birmingham has commissioned an Adult FGC service with ‘in house’ independent coordinators who, at the time of writing, are being trained and preparing to take their first referrals.
• Camden added an adult provision to their FGC service in 2013. An evaluation of this service led to it being confirmed in place by the Adult Services a year later. Referrals have included young people with a disability who are transitioning to the adult services, adults with a disability and older people who require safeguarding. Thirty FGCs have now been held.
• Dumfries and Galloway has commissioned Kalm Solutions to provide FGCs for vulnerable adults (Forsyth et al., 2013). They are currently undertaking a contract for 15 FGCs.