https://doi.org/
Sean Manley and Margaret Farren
A national review of Ireland’s Youthreach education programme for early school leavers found staff retention to be a future challenge for the programme (Smyth et al., 2019). With no previous research into staff retention in Youthreach, this study explores the unique characteristics of the programme to identify variables influencing staff intention to leave. This mixed-methods study used emerging themes from interviews with former staff to identify constructs of interest and select quantitative tools grounded in the culture and perspective of the participants. Analysis of the quantitative data included a hierarchical multiple regression model to assess the strength of the relationships between intention to leave and independent variables. Alongside complementing existing research on teacher retention, the study draws attention to emerging themes specific to Youthreach; the most significant of these being staff burnout, role equity, and work commitment, which are included in the final regression model. The study findings highlight the profound emotional impact that working with at-risk young people had on Youthreach staff. A strong sense of inequity in professional standing contributed to intention to leave and was a possible recruitment barrier. [DOWNLOAD PDF]
