Abstract
Homelessness is a pervasive issue in society, and government policies have highlighted the need to focus on the experience of front-line staff in homelessness settings. The aim of this meta-synthesis was to draw together the available research to further understanding of the experiences of staff working with homeless people. A systematic search was conducted across four electronic databases (ASSIA, PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts and Web of Science) from the date of their inception. Qualitative research exploring the emotional experiences of staff working in homeless settings was identified. Identified studies were subject to quality assessment, and the data were synthesised using meta-ethnography. Ten studies were included in the synthesis following screening of 228 titles, 92 abstracts and 33 full texts. The concepts that were obtained from the analysis were building quality relationships, negotiating boundaries, carrying the emotional burden (self and others), accessing care and support (self-care and from others), individual advancement, advocating and contextual helplessness. An overarching theoretical construction of the internal experiences of support staff in managing the demands of the role along with their own needs was developed. This theory may provide the basis for testable hypotheses in future research and inform the development of support and training opportunities for staff working within homelessness settings.
Highlights
Homelessness is still a pervasive issue in western society, and UK government policy has highlighted the need to focus on the experience of front-line staff in homelessness settings (Department of Communities & Local Government, CLG, 2008)
Our overarching aim was to consider the available qualitative research regarding staff experiences of working with homeless people using the meta-ethnographical approach to meta-synthesis, with the goal of producing new theoretical understandings of the specific demands and resources relevant to the support worker role in homelessness settings
This review provides valuable insight into the experiences of support staff working with homeless people, across homeless settings
Summary
Homelessness is still a pervasive issue in western society, and UK government policy has highlighted the need to focus on the experience of front-line staff in homelessness settings (Department of Communities & Local Government, CLG, 2008). Wirth et al (2019) conducted a review of the working conditions, mental health and coping of staff working with refugees and homeless people They highlighted that the prevalence of mental health problems among staff was high but difficult to compare because of the use of various assessments across studies. Our overarching aim was to consider the available qualitative research regarding staff experiences of working with homeless people using the meta-ethnographical approach to meta-synthesis, with the goal of producing new theoretical understandings of the specific demands and resources relevant to the support worker role in homelessness settings. To further existing the understanding of the in-depth personal experiences and approaches of staff working with homeless people, in an effort to better inform staff support and provide organisational insight into how services might be developed and interventions are implemented. To provide an overarching theoretical construction that could inform and improve further approaches and actions by organisations and staff who support homeless people
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