Social workers at breaking point with half at risk of quitting, warns UNISON

Excessive workloads, high stress levels and low morale are rife among social workers who are at breaking point, according to a new report published today (Monday) by UNISON. The report – Social work and the impact of the Covid pandemic – is based on a survey of nearly 3,000 social workers across the UK. It sheds light on the working conditions of social workers, and limitations on the help they are able to give vulnerable families. Staff shortages (93%), unmanageable caseloads (90%) and long hours (80%) are identified by social workers as major concerns affecting their ability to do their job​s, according to the union. Seven in ten (72%) said their workload has increased during the pandemic and 89% are worried about the level of service they are able to provide to the public. Social workers who took part in the survey repeatedly said their first point of contact with families was ​often only at crisis point because they have no time for early intervention and preventative work. Many face threats of violence to not only them, but ​to their families ​too, from frustrated families in desperate need of support. Social workers described being ‘grabbed and pushed’, receiving death threats and being told by those they’re helping that their houses would be burned down. More than three quarters (78%) of social workers said they had experienced increased stress levels and 77% of respondents were worried about their mental health due to the pressure they’re under...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release 2022 local government conference Christina McAnea social work Source Type: news