Satisfactions and Stressors Experienced by Recently-hired Frontline Child Welfare Workers

Many child welfare workers choose their positions due to their interest and commitment in protecting children and derive a sense of satisfaction from their work and serving children and families. However, child welfare workers commonly experience stress and burnout. High rates of turnover for child welfare workers occur within the first few years of hire with national annual rates ranging from 20% to 50% with the highest rates occurring during workers’ first three years. The average length of child welfare employment is less than two years and high turnover rates create a constant flow of recently-hired child welfare workers.