BASW and Social Workers Union launch campaign to tackle ‘poor’ staff working conditions

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The social work bodies are seeking action to enhance staffing levels, cut caseloads, boost professional development and improve mental health support for practitioners.

The campaign comes off the back of an SWU survey of over 2,000 social workers, with ITV News, which found that 86% believed that services were understaffed, with 80% saying was putting the people they supported at risk and 84% that it was seriously affecting their ability to do their jobs properly.

In addition, three-quarters said their mental health was suffering because of work, compared with 65% in response to a 2022 SWU survey.

‘Social workers and those they support being failed’

BASW chief executive Ruth Allen (credit: BASW)

Launching the campaign at BASW’s annual conference this week, chief executive Ruth Allen said: “Social workers provide vital services to adults and children at risk of harm and disadvantage, yet both the profession and people they serve are being failed by a system that does not provide adequate resources, staffing, or support.

“This campaign represents our commitment to ensuring social workers have the conditions they need to protect and support those who depend on their expertise.”

The campaign’s aims comprise:

• Adequate and safe staffing;
• Sustainable workloads;
• Improved funding for social work services;
• Better professional development;
• Recognition and respect for social work expertise;
• Improved mental health and wellbeing support for practitioners.

‘Urgent action needed on staffing, caseloads and professional support’

John McGowan, Social Workers Union (photo: Simon Hadley)

SWU general secretary John McGowan said: “The statistics speak for themselves – we are facing a crisis that threatens not just the wellbeing of social workers, but the safety and support of the children, families, and adults who rely on social work services. Urgent action is needed to address staffing levels, workload management, and professional support.”

The two organisations plan to launch a petition in support of the campaign’s aims and will also launch a wellbeing toolkit to improve support for social workers at this week’s conference.