Social services professionals are a hard-working bunch, arguably some of the hardest-working people in any field! Social work is a vocation where you give your all, and whilst plenty of professionals are happy to put in more than 100%, the fact is that they do need nurturing.
Managing social services teams is a balance between meeting the needs of clients and your employees. But getting the balance right needs a strategy. When managers focus on building a positive environment, it does more than just strengthen your team and improve job satisfaction (although this is important, too). Your support also enhances the quality of care provided to clients in the long run.
Here are some straightforward and effective ways to nurture your social services team and keep everyone engaged and empowered at work.
Make Communication Authentic
Authentic communication is more than just the formal one-on-ones you’re expected to have with team members. It’s just as important to give employees space to have relaxed and informal chats in social settings or over a coffee in between bouts of work.
Regular updates, check-ins and informal chats throughout the day and week can really make a difference in how supported your team feels. These moments give your team the opportunity to share more about themselves and voice any issues they’re dealing with.
Allow for Debrief Time
Sometimes, we need to decompress after a particularly stressful case, conversation or unexpected challenge. It happens in any role!
A small study on Australian social service workers' burnout found that workers “felt that they were at high risk of burnout when they did not feel as if they had sufficient ‘wraparound support’ in the workplace and were unable to debrief”.
Make time for regular debrief sessions so your team members can discuss challenging experiences in a safe, judgment-free setting. This is incredibly important for helping them process difficult situations. When you build this support structure, you send a clear message to your team that you have their back.
Watch Out for Workplace Stress
Burnout of social service workers is a real risk for all types of organisations in the sector. Sure, sometimes we have to skip our lunch breaks or do overtime. Over the long run, however, team members are likely to simply be less effective and engaged with their work if they feel they can’t take breaks.
In a time where almost a quarter of Australians work more than 50 hours a week, as OECD research shows, keeping an eye on workloads is critical when managing social services teams.
Don’t wait for signs that someone is falling apart or work is falling behind! (That’s where the communication bit comes in handy.) It’s wise to encourage your team to set boundaries and take breaks when they need to. Everything from mini breaks throughout the day to regular holidays should be supported.
Prioritise Fun and Self-Care
It really helps to get away from the office sometimes. Make regular time for a fun day out, whether it be a nice lunch, a team-building activity or some leisure time with the team.
You might also consider implementing wellness activities, like guided meditation sessions, or creating flexible schedules that allow for self-care time. These don’t need to be huge time and money investments; all you need is something that employees can tap into when they need a mood or energy boost.
Recognise Hard Work and Celebrate Their Wins
Acknowledge the effort your team puts in, even for the small victories. A simple “thank you” or public recognition can go a long way in boosting morale. Just don’t make it a one-off!
Create regular opportunities to celebrate achievements, both big and small. These moments of appreciation can mean a lot – and encourage your employees to continue giving their best.
Invest in Their Training and Professional Growth
Social services work is an evolving field. Providing avenues for ongoing learning is a good way to keep team members motivated and up-to-date with best practices.
Offering workshops, training sessions, or even financial support for further education shows that you’re invested in their career growth. It’s a win-win: staff feel supported in their development, and the team’s skills and knowledge continue to grow.
The Takeaway
Nurturing a social services team doesn’t require grand gestures. Instead, it’s about demonstrating a consistent focus on creating a supportive, caring environment. When managers prioritise the well-being of their staff, team members are better equipped to offer high-quality care to others.
Work With a Social Services Recruitment Agency
Managing social services teams effectively involves strategic planning for future workforce needs. That’s where an experienced social services recruitment specialist can help.
With over 20 years of experience, the team at Tradewind has helped hundreds of social services employers find passionate and skilled workers to serve their communities. Please feel free to contact our friendly team for guidance and support with growing your social services team. We’d love to hear from you!
