The Project

We are living in a period where there is a growing demand for taking care of minors in vulnerable situations, but resources are limited and economic pressures are high. This situation makes it increasingly difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel in this area of personal services.

The project Stand by me: Addressing Social Workers' Vulnerability to Support Youth From Social Exclusion [SAVE] was born out of the need to enhance and protect workers who work with minors in vulnerable situations with the aim of analyzing these critical issues and identifying good practices to improve their well-being at work.

The SAVE Project in brief

A sector to monitor

SAVE studies the labor market for social workers in Italy, with a particular focus on workers who operate with minors in vulnerable situations.

Workplace well-being in service organizations

Through a multidisciplinary approach that combines psychology, sociology, and economics, the project explores the factors that influence the quality of working life for social workers.

An approach that combines research and action

We collect both qualitative and quantitative data that can help build tools for practice. In addition to research, therefore, we try to create spaces for dialogue and practical tools for professionals.

  • From July to December 2025

    Understand

    We want to shed light on the characteristics of social work today, highlighting its economic and social value to offer a snapshot of the size and evolution of this specific employment sector in Italy, with particular attention to workers who work with minors in vulnerable situations.

    The work phases are three:

    • Mapping and data collection – Creation of an updated database to estimate market size and understand supply and demand in the sector
    • Market analysis and social impact – Study of working conditions, costs and benefits for professionals in the sector, and the value generated for society.
    • Policy proposals – Recommendations to improve contracts, training, and job stability in the sector

  • From July 2025 to May 2027

    Understand

    We want to focus on studying the quality of working life of social workers to understand how this concept is defined in scientific literature, in order to identify the main factors that influence the work-related well-being of professionals in the sector.

    The work phases are four:

    • Analysis of the quality of working life - Monitoring of social work
    • Quality of working life of social workers - Identification of key factors that promote it
    • Synthesis of results – creation of a report with practical recommendations
    • Continuous update – Tracking of available evidence throughout the project

  • From September 2025 to April 2026

    Analyze

    We want to carry out a quantitative survey on the Quality of Working Life (QoWL) of social workers employed in residential communities for minors in difficulty in Italy, with a specific focus on the Lombardy region.

    Through the administration of a questionnaire, we will photograph the current state of well-being at work for this category of workers to identify the main individual and organizational factors that affect their quality of professional life in our country.

  • From April 2026 to April 2027

    Interview

    We want to delve into the heart of the daily work of social workers who work with minors in difficulty, gathering their voices, emotions, and experiences through interviews and field observations. The objective is to understand what helps – or hinders – their professional well-being through qualitative research that centers on the stories and experiences of the workers.

  • From February to June 2027

    Evaluate

    We want to develop a self-assessment tool dedicated to monitoring the well-being and vulnerability of social workers in the third sector. The tool will be designed to be easily usable by organizations, allowing them to monitor and improve the quality of working life internally.