Inspired by the Relias 2023 DSP Survey Report conducted with ANCOR, The Guild for Human Services collaborated with Relias to replicate the survey within their own direct support professional (DSP) staff in order to compare their findings to the nationwide Relias survey as a benchmark and provide a snapshot of the experiences of DSPs in one organization.

The research team at The Guild collaborated with Relias to replicate the nationally available 2023 DSP survey. With a quantitative comparison against the national benchmark, The Guild will conduct data-driven planning for organizational improvements. 

When DSPs feel confident, competent, and valued, the students and adults supported at The Guild greatly benefit.

Get the report here.

 

Relias surveyed 763 DSP respondents while The Guild had 75 DSP respondents. Data analysis showed many similar trends between The Guild DSPs and the national data, such as:

  • The overall satisfaction working as a DSP for their organization (67% National, 72% Guild)
  • The comfort level in talking with a supervisor about stress and challenges (74% National, 80% Guild)
  • The high percentage of DSPs valuing a safe platform to provide feedback about a supervisor (81% for both surveys), while a smaller number report that they do have such a platform (59% National, 68% Guild)
  • The key role of supervisors, and positive correlations between DSPs’ satisfaction with direct supervisors and satisfaction with other organizational initiatives
  • The desire for well-being and mental health programs (65% National, 83% Guild)

  • The request for career advancement programs such as educational opportunities toward a degree paid for by the organization (38% National, 39% Guild)

    Most respondents felt somewhat to completely satisfied working as a DSP for their current organization. 67% National vs. 72% The Guild

 

The Guild DSPs also mirrored the Relias study in their top two areas of dissatisfaction:

  • Not feeling fairly compensated (38% National, 31% Guild)

  • Not feeling appreciated for their work (25% National, 20% Guild)

    DSPs report that compensation and appreciation are key challenges to address. "I don't dislike anything about my job" (27% National, 37% The Guild). "I am not fairly compensated for my work" (38% National, 31% The Guild). "I feel like I am not appreciated for my work" (25% National, 20% The Guild).

 

The Guild DSPs showed significantly more satisfaction with the effectiveness of their onboarding, with 69% reporting they were very prepared or extremely prepared to begin their job (46% National). In addition, there was a significant correlation between The Guild DSPs’ perception of preparation from onboarding and their job satisfaction.

“It is critical to listen to feedback from DSPs and prioritize their needs in strategic planning. The findings will help shape DSP professional development, well-being, appreciation, and retention initiatives. We know when DSPs feel confident, competent, and valued, the students and adults supported at The Guild greatly benefit.”
—Amy Sousa, CEO of The Guild for Human Services

The Guild will be presenting a webinar on the 2024 DSP Research Report on Tuesday, November 19 at 10am as part of the Providers’ Council Member Webinar Series.

 

 

About Relias

Relias provides lifelong workforce enablement solutions for 12,000 healthcare and human services organizations and 4.5 million caregivers to drive measurable outcomes. Customers use Relias solutions to attract and retain talent, elevate care quality and reduce risk with our technology, services, community, and expertise. The Relias family of brands serves the entire healthcare community and shares a common goal of improving the lives of the most vulnerable members of society and those who care for them.

About ANCOR
For more than 50 years, the American Network of Community Options and Resources has been a leading advocate for the critical role service providers play in enriching the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As a national nonprofit trade association, ANCOR represents 2,000+ organizations employing more than a half-million professionals who together serve more than a million individuals with IDD. Their mission is to advance the ability of our members to support people with IDD to fully participate in their communities.