A baseline survey of levels of motivation, well-being, and employment preferences of newly qualified social workers in the UK

The aim of this study is to examine levels of motivation, wellbeing, and employment preferences of newly qualified social workers who graduated in 2022. A mixed-method study design was employed using standardized measurements for wellbeing, measurable scales for motivation and employment preferences, and qualitative questions about job preferences. The online survey was completed by 176 final-year social work students in Northern Ireland during the summer 2022. The current paper reports Time 1 data from a longitudinal project examining levels of motivation, well-being, resilience, and employment preferences of graduates over a 12-month period. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26). Wellbeing scores were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests, and motivation was compared using Fisher’s exact tests. Qualitative data from responses to open-ended questions was analyzed using six-step approach to thematic analysis. There were no significant differences in wellbeing scores or levels of motivation between participants based on age, sex, caring responsibilities, or disability. The majority were motivated to find employment in social work (98.3%), in Northern Ireland (97.7%), in statutory Health and Social Care Trusts (71.1%). However, stakeholders need to improve support systems and stability within teams, enhance remuneration, and ensure workloads are manageable.