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“If you can't be with this client for some years, don't do it”: Exploring the emotional and relational effects of turnover on youth in the child welfare system

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  • Curry, Ashley

Abstract

Turnover among child welfare workers is a serious and well-documented problem. One of the reasons it is particularly troubling is that it disrupts relationships between young people in care and their child welfare professionals. These relationships have the potential to provide support to and enhance outcomes for youth who arguably already have a considerable history of relationship loss. To date, scholarship has focused primarily on the causes and remedies of turnover, instead of the effects. This study explores the lived experience of turnover from the child's perspective, adding an important and underrepresented voice in the literature. The findings presented in this article originate from a two-year, multi-perspective, multi-method qualitative study exploring relationships between young people in care and their child welfare professionals. Youth narratives reveal that turnover: happens frequently; is often abrupt and poorly processed; occurs with all their child welfare professionals; and is a relationship loss. These losses were found to impact the emotional and relational well-being of youth in a variety of complex ways. Practitioners, supervisors, administrators, researchers, and policy makers alike will find the child-centered and relationship-based approach to turnover discussed in this article, important and timely.

Suggested Citation

  • Curry, Ashley, 2019. "“If you can't be with this client for some years, don't do it”: Exploring the emotional and relational effects of turnover on youth in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 374-385.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:99:y:2019:i:c:p:374-385
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.01.026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    12. Chambers, Ruth M. & Crutchfield, Rashida M. & Willis, Tasha Y. & Cuza, Haydée A. & Otero, Angelica & Goddu Harper, Stephanie G. & Carmichael, Heather, 2018. "“It's just not right to move a kid that many times:” A qualitative study of how foster care alumni perceive placement moves," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 76-83.
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    2. Lushin, Victor & Katz, Colleen C. & Julien-Chinn, Francie J. & Lalayants, Marina, 2023. "A burdened workforce: Exploring burnout, job satisfaction and turnover among child welfare caseworkers in the era of COVID-19," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    3. Radey, Melissa & Wilke, Dina J., 2023. "Extent, trajectory, and determinants of child welfare turnover and exit destinations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    4. Heyman, Janna C. & White-Ryan, Linda & Kelly, Peggy & Farmer, G. Lawrence & Leaman, Tara Linh & Davis, Henry J., 2020. "Voices about foster care: The value of trust," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    5. Curry, Ashley, 2020. "Envisioning a reflective, relationship-based approach to termination in child welfare: The importance of thinking, feeling, and doing," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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