Defining the degree of work attractiveness in the Protected Housing service in Bulgaria

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research-based article examines the challenges that social workers are facing in the context of intense reforms and transformations in a period of transition from centralised and institutionalised system of social care towards a decentralised and deinstitutionalised one. Key issues for social workers are determined through an exhaustive empirical study, assessing the degree of subjective attractiveness of the professional activity of social workers in the Protected housing service in Bulgaria. The study aims to give insights on what components of working conditions need to be improved to provide adequate support to social workers, enabling them to offer quality service to users. The study further analyses how workers prioritise these components, how the desired state differs from their current work situation and how work attractiveness relates to socio-demographic characteristics. The results show a low degree of work attractiveness and discrepancies on factors across the board between what social workers’ rate as significant for work to be attractive and their actual work situation. When considering the findings within the wider European context, the authors suggest the Bulgarian experience is of significance for other societies going through fast and fundamental transformations.