Bill aims to protect Scots social workers

Front-line child protection and mental health social workers look
set to be covered in the Emergency Workers Bill in Scotland.

MSP Margaret Smith, who sits on the committee that is considering
the bill, said she was “very much persuaded” by the evidence
presented to the committee last week from the British Association
of Social Workers in Scotland and the Association of Directors of
Social Work.

Smith said the bill, which makes provisions to protect emergency
workers in all sectors, should incorporate the protection of
front-line child protection and mental health social workers.

Ruth Stark, professional officer for BASW Scotland, said inclusion
of social work staff in the bill would send an important message to
prosecutors and the public that at times there was real danger in
the job that social workers do.