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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ssp.2026.12.003

An Exploration into the Predictors of the Professional Quality of Life of Frontline Workers in Homelessness

Bethany Camp1, Anam Elahi1, Ahmed Waqas1, Jacqui Regan2, Colm Gallagher3, Nick Maguire4, Stephen Weatherhead1,5,*

1Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK.

2Homelessness Services, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK.

3Homelessness Services, Manchester M2 5DB, UK.

4Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Southhampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.

5NeuroTriage, Lancashire PR2 9SU, UK.

*Corresponding author: Stephen Weatherhead

Published: September 08, 2026

Abstract

Challenges across political, societal, and organisational landscapes can impact frontline workers' wellbeing in homelessness. This project aimed to explore predictors of Professional Quality of Life among 170 frontline workers in UK third-sector homelessness organisations. An online questionnaire collected demographic and employment information and measures of Perceived Organisational Support, Reflective Practice, Self-Reflection and Insight, Adverse Child-hood Experiences, Compassion Satisfaction (CS), Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). Perceived organisational support significantly predicted burnout, STS, and CS. Self-Reflection and Insight also significantly predicted CS. Aligning with the implementation of psychologically informed environ-ments, the importance of the employee-organisation relationship from the viewpoint of frontline workers is discussed, particularly concerning psychological needs. These findings support the need to consider the accountability and con-figuration of homelessness organisations. Integrating psychological needs satis-faction into current homelessness policy and practice might support targeted action to protect workplace wellbeing. There is a requirement for further exploration and evaluation of the factors that influence workplace wellbeing and research into understanding intersectionality differences, how trauma experiences affect frontline working, and evaluations into the effectiveness of reflective practice in relation to workplace wellbeing is required to enhance organisational support.

Keyword

Homelessness; Frontline Workers; Workplace Wellbeing; Compassion Satisfac-tion; Burnout; Secondary Traumatic Stress; Organisational Support

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How to cite this paper

An Exploration into the Predictors of the Professional Quality of Life of Frontline Workers in Homelessness

How to cite this paper: Bethany Camp, Anam Elahi, Ahmed Waqas, Jacqui Regan, Colm Gallagher, Nick Maguire, Stephen Weatherhead. (2026). An Exploration into the Predictors of the Professional Quality of Life of Frontline Workers in Homelessness. Sociology & Social Policy, 3(2), 83-96.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ssp.2026.12.003