At a time where many businesses, small and large around the globe have suffered financially or been forced to permanently close. Social Work is amongst one of the few professions which has in essence shown itself to be in greater need given the social, emotional and physical impact which the Pandemic is having on individuals and families. However what does this look like in theory for a profession which is too often broadcasted in the media spotlight negatively. Is Social Work receiving the positive attention which it rightly deserves?
Having worked throughout the Pandemic, I recall my initial feelings following the Prime minister’s, Boris Johnson’s first lockdown announcement in March 2020. ‘Fear’, ‘Uncertainty’ and a level of ‘Gratitude’ filled my mind being amongst an essential ‘key working’ profession, and allowed to continue to work despite many businesses being told to close. For many social workers, this highlighted the importance of our role, and meant a ‘Thank You’ for the work that we are about to do. However the new set of rules and regulations bought in by the government bought its own challenges to Social Work. With a lack of Local Authority PPE and a continued need for direct contact with families, how was this going to work in theory given the plight of the virus? At the same time more focused attention on medical professionals by the Government made it appear that the work which Social Workers were undertaking was redundant, although growing concerns were mounting around children living within abusive households resulting in campaigns run by Voluntary Organisations to raise awareness. A question which I ask is why weren’t Social Workers given similar levels of attention by the Government to highlight such issues?
Social workers alongside their multi agency colleagues have a duty to safeguard vulnerable children and families, with many having to embrace new and more innovative ways of working which significantly moved to virtual methods. For more avoidant and harder to reach families, the Pandemic was and is continuing to be used by some individuals as a means to mask underlying issues and to avoid contact, and work with services. Often social workers resorting in balancing their own safety with that of the vulnerable children and adults they work with when making decisions around the frequency of contact. The unfortunate truth is that this Pandemic has allowed me to first-hand witness its impact on children and their families evidenced by a higher number of suicide attempts, domestic violence incidents, homelessness, growing levels of isolation and social interactions with others leading to higher levels of Mental Health concerns. The question of whether the pandemic has exacerbated situations to deteriorate I would argue is by no means a topic of debate, as it has simply done so despite the efforts of Social Care Services in managing risk. The role the public plays has never been more important in ‘safeguarding’.
Whilst some efforts have been made by several National Organisations in recognising these efforts by the hosting of Virtual events held by BASW and Social Work Awards Team to celebrate the remarkable work which social workers are doing during difficult circumstances. A more wider Government acknowledgment would ultimately show recognition and appreciation of this work, alongside more regular Local Government support towards their workers. What will this achieve? For Social Workers, an inclination of wider scale Govt support will convey the message around the value of their work and boost momentum amongst individuals which can in turn support LA’s with their retention of social workers which continues to be an ongoing matter of concern.
As the UK has called a third National Lockdown, it is inevitable that the full scale impact of the pandemic is yet to come. With more businesses forced to permanently close resulting in financial worries, families spending more time indoors having an impact on the changing behaviours of individuals, limited social contact with others and much needed support services moving onto virtual forums impacting on the range of interventions they are able to offer their clients to effect change, risks are expected to increase in the given months and years to come. It is therefore a testing time for Social Work which continues on its difficult journey in safeguarding, supporting and enabling change to occur within families using limited resources available. A concern which I hope Local Councils and Government alike set in motion an action plan to tackle.
I would like to end on a note in asking you to keep a thought for the amazing work which Social Workers are doing despite the challenging circumstances in which we continue to work in. I have never been more prouder to be part of an important period of history in keeping vulnerable children and families safe.
Written by Ayesha Gayle
FOSW
Faces of Social Work 