Supporting resilience, quality practice and staff retention during Social Work Week
Each year, Social Work Week (16–20 March) provides an opportunity to recognise the essential role social workers play in supporting individuals, families and communities across the UK. It is also a moment to reflect honestly on the pressures faced by the profession, and to explore how we can better support those entering and working within it.
This year, the publication of our recent research paper on the use of Sophrology with social work students offers an important contribution to that conversation. The study explores how short, structured mind–body practices can help students develop resilience, emotional regulation and self-awareness — all vital skills for sustainable professional practice.
At a time when burnout, workforce shortages and staff retention remain major challenges in social care, the findings highlight something increasingly clear: supporting social workers requires more than technical training. It also requires practical life skills that help practitioners sustain themselves in demanding roles.
The emotional realities of social work
Social work is both deeply rewarding and emotionally demanding. Practitioners regularly encounter complex human situations – trauma, safeguarding concerns, family crises, poverty and mental health challenges. Navigating these realities requires strong professional judgement, empathy and resilience.
Yet research and workforce data consistently show that stress and burnout remain significant factors in staff turnover. Many social workers report high workloads, emotional strain and limited opportunities for reflective or restorative practice within their working environments.
While professional training equips students with theoretical frameworks, legal knowledge and practical skills, many enter the workforce without structured tools to manage the emotional and physiological impact of the work itself.
This gap matters. When practitioners struggle to regulate stress or recover from emotionally intense situations, the consequences can affect both their own health and wellbeing, and the quality of the support they provide to others.
Why life skills matter in professional training
There is growing recognition across healthcare, education and social care that life skills such as emotional regulation, self-awareness and stress management are not optional extras, but core professional competencies.
Sophrology offers one approach to developing these capacities.
Combining breathing techniques, gentle movement, guided imagery, and embodied awareness, Sophrology provides practical tools that can be integrated into daily life. The practices are short, accessible and designed to support both immediate stress regulation and longer-term resilience.
In our research, social work students were introduced to brief Sophrology practices as part of their training. The aim was to give students simple, practical tools they could use before, during or after challenging situations.
Students reported benefits including:
- Improved ability to manage stress
- Gaining effective ways for regulating emotions
- Increased capacity to look after their wellbeing
- Feeling better equipped for the pressures and demands of social work practice
- A sense of having an accessible “toolkit” they could draw on during placements
These are not abstract outcomes. In practice settings where decisions must be made under pressure and relationships are central to the work, the ability to remain calmy present and attentive can significantly influence the quality of professional engagement.
Marion Rees, co-author of the paper, reflects
‘Sophrology has been key to support my wellbeing and strengthen my confidence throughout my social work training and into my post-qualifying practice. It has been a privilege to share these simple yet profoundly effective practices with future social workers, and to see how quickly they begin to benefit from them in their own work and professional development.’
Supporting sustainable careers in social work
The conversation about workforce retention in social care often focuses on structural factors such as caseloads, funding and organisational systems. These are, of course, critical issues.
However, sustainability in the profession also depends on how well individuals are supported to manage the emotional demands of the role over time.
Embedding life skills practices within education can help social workers develop habits of self-regulation and reflection from the very beginning of their careers. Rather than waiting until stress becomes overwhelming, students learn early that caring for their own wellbeing is an essential part of professional responsibility.
Importantly, this is not about placing the burden of resilience solely on individuals. Instead, it is about recognising that effective practice and practitioner wellbeing are interconnected. Supporting one strengthens the other.
When social workers have tools to manage stress, maintain presence and recover from difficult experiences, they are better able to sustain their commitment to the profession and continue providing high-quality support to the people who rely on them.
A wider opportunity for social work education
The findings from this research contribute to a broader conversation about how professional training can evolve to meet the realities of modern practice.
Alongside academic knowledge and practical placement experience, there is a strong case for integrating structured wellbeing and resilience practices into curricula. These do not need to be complex or time-consuming. Often, short and consistent practices can have meaningful impact.
As Social Work Week celebrates the dedication and impact of the profession, it also offers an opportunity to ask an important question:
How can we better support those who dedicate their careers to supporting others?
Developing life skills such as those taught through Sophrology is one small but significant step in that direction. By equipping future social workers with tools to manage stress, maintain presence and build resilience, we not only support their wellbeing — we also strengthen the sustainability and effectiveness of the profession as a whole.
Contact us to discuss a workshop for your students, faculty, or your health and care team. Or join a free sophrology practice to discover what sophrology is for yourself.