Often in the homeless services field, the demand for services far outweighs the availability of providers. Some of this is attributed to workforce shortages, but often the problem is rooted in staff turn-over. Burnout is a common cause of turnover in homeless services, so a focus on self-care is critical.
Has your organization seen a high number of individuals come and go in relatively short spans of time? Do your employees often look tired and feel constantly pressured? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then your organization may be experiencing a problem with staff burnout. This is a critical issue that many homeless service agencies encounter.
Taking time to meet with your staff, ask about their need, and provide forums for them to discuss concerns is critical. Follow the link above to see the Public Health Agency of Canada’s suggestions for assessing stress levels in caregivers.