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Launching our Latest Frontline Worker Survey findings

Launching our Latest Frontline Worker Survey findings

Launching our Latest Frontline Worker Survey findings

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our recent launch event for the Frontline Worker Survey findings. Below you can find a recording and round up of the session. 

About the Frontline Worker Survey

Listening to lived and frontline experience is crucial to addressing homelessness. At St Martin-In-The-Fields Charity we conduct an Annual Survey of frontline staff across the UK who support people experiencing homelessness, to amplify insights and help to inform policy and practice to end homelessness. Our latest survey closed in December 2022 and we heard from 1,182 frontline workers from across the four nations.

This event

In this online event we presented the survey’s key findings and reflected on the action needed so that everyone has a safe place to call home. This included discussion of:

  • Key issues and good practice when addressing homelessness
  • The impact of the rising cost of living
  • Staff wellbeing and access to training

We were fortunate to be joined by a fantastic panel of colleagues from the sector who shared their insights into these topics: 

  • Mel Holmes, Youth Services Manager at Caring in Bristol 
  • Theresa Ormandy, Project Manager at Extern Northern Ireland
  • Michelle Binfield, Rough Sleeping Programme Director at London Councils
  • Katie Dalton, Director at Cymorth Cymru

Below are just some of the reflections shared during the event: 

"One of the issues that came out through the survey is frontline workers having to do firefighting work constantly, rather than being able to do preventative work."

"Frontline staff report barriers that service users face accessing services, including mental health support."

"We deal with quite a lot, we really are filling in those gaps, and we know a lot. We need to be rewarded not just financially, but with our training. I'd like to see that being recognised."

"The skills that these workers have are extraordinary, and it’s not a job that many people could do."

"On the back of the pandemic particularly, we hear so much about staff leaving the sector. The staff that do stay are struggling, and it’s their passion that means they stay."

“It’s important to remind ourselves of the devastating effects of when care is not there. I'm concerned that people will no longer want to work in the sector, often because people can’t afford it.”

“We can’t just accept that we’ll lose people from the workforce. There’s got to be creative ways that we can keep this very experienced, very skilled, very committed workforce in the sector.” 

You can find a recording of the event below.

You can read more about our latest findings in our new reports available here. 

If you attended the event, please take a few moments to share any feedback you have through this quick feedback form. 

For more information about the funding, community and resources we offer to frontline homelessness staff, explore our Frontline Network website and sign up to our e-newsletter.   

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