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Staffing Challenges within the Northern Ireland Homelessness Sector

Staffing Challenges within the Northern Ireland Homelessness Sector

Staffing Challenges within the Northern Ireland Homelessness Sector

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

A new report summarises findings of independent research commissioned by Homeless Connect to explore staffing issues in the homelessness sector in Northern Ireland.

The report concludes that: 

"The findings from this research resonate strongly with the global evidence base (e.g., Olivet, McGraw, Grandin, Bassuk, 2010; Osborn, Every, & Richardson, 2018; FEANTSA, 2020), and highlight several core staffing challenges experienced by those working in the homelessness sector. These challenges can be categorised across four core areas, each of which poses considerable threat to the sustainability of the service delivery currently offered by the homelessness sector in NI:

(1) Policy - the lack of funding and investment in the sector and the need for improved support infrastructures;

(2) Practice - particularly staffing levels, recruitment, and terms and conditions of employment;

(3) Societal issues - external factors exacerbating the challenging nature of the work;

(4) Psychological issues - staff satisfaction and wellbeing.

Discussed also is the effect of a ‘buffer’ to these challenges, that is a sense of vocation and the commitment and dedication of staff who work in the sector."

The report goes on to make recommendations relating to policy, practice and staff wellbeing.  

Read the full report

Read the executive summary

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