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Seven Experiences of care work

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Abstract

This chapter sets out to document the everyday reality of working with vulnerable children in both home and institutional settings. It begins with an overview of responses to the Postal Survey questionnaire, drawing out similarities and differences between the four groups of workers and seeking explanations for these from the case-study material. This is followed by a thematic analysis of satisfaction with different aspects of care work with vulnerable children – both intrinsic and extrinsic – using the case studies to illuminate the subjective experience of care work and to examine the factors that influenced reported levels of satisfaction. Finally, two cases are presented in more detail to illuminate the interplay of different factors in determining how care work is experienced overall. These cases cover different types of care work, and workers who are situated at opposite ends of a continuum of enjoyment and satisfaction with their work.

Abstract

This chapter sets out to document the everyday reality of working with vulnerable children in both home and institutional settings. It begins with an overview of responses to the Postal Survey questionnaire, drawing out similarities and differences between the four groups of workers and seeking explanations for these from the case-study material. This is followed by a thematic analysis of satisfaction with different aspects of care work with vulnerable children – both intrinsic and extrinsic – using the case studies to illuminate the subjective experience of care work and to examine the factors that influenced reported levels of satisfaction. Finally, two cases are presented in more detail to illuminate the interplay of different factors in determining how care work is experienced overall. These cases cover different types of care work, and workers who are situated at opposite ends of a continuum of enjoyment and satisfaction with their work.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents iii
  3. List of tables and boxes iv
  4. Acknowledgements vi
  5. Setting the scene 1
  6. The study 15
  7. The origins of a care ethic in care workers’ childhoods 39
  8. Entering care work with vulnerable children 59
  9. Care workers’ careers and identities: change and continuity 77
  10. What do vulnerable children need? Understandings of care 103
  11. Experiences of care work 129
  12. Leavers, movers and stayers 153
  13. Managing care work and family life 177
  14. Conclusions and policy implications 205
  15. Appendix 223
  16. References 233
  17. Index 243
Coming to care
This chapter is in the book Coming to care
https://doi.org/10.56687/9781847422439-009

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents iii
  3. List of tables and boxes iv
  4. Acknowledgements vi
  5. Setting the scene 1
  6. The study 15
  7. The origins of a care ethic in care workers’ childhoods 39
  8. Entering care work with vulnerable children 59
  9. Care workers’ careers and identities: change and continuity 77
  10. What do vulnerable children need? Understandings of care 103
  11. Experiences of care work 129
  12. Leavers, movers and stayers 153
  13. Managing care work and family life 177
  14. Conclusions and policy implications 205
  15. Appendix 223
  16. References 233
  17. Index 243
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