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?
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?
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.
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.
