Social Work
TASK FORCE NEEDS TO DELIVER SEISMIC SHIFT IN SOCIAL WORK
UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, representing more than 40,000
social workers, today (30 November), called for the social work task force
report to deliver a seismic shift to relieve the pressures on social
workers.
The union warned that unless the recommendations in the report were fully
funded, social workers will continue to struggle with excessive caseloads
and the history of blame, crisis and plummeting morale will repeat itself.
Helga Pile, UNISON National Officer for Social Workers, said:
“We need a seismic shift in the way social work is delivered. It is simply
unacceptable to have social workers struggling with caseloads of thirty or
more children. In England the average vacancy rate now stands at 14%, but
it’s a massive 39% in some parts of the country.
“We need a higher ratio of qualified, trained staff and proper supervision
put in place. Social workers want to be able to spend more time with
families in need and less time at their desks.
“The changes recommended by the taskforce will only work if they are
Properly funded. This cannot be just another report that two years down the line has
still not been implemented because of lack of cash. Many councils are
talking about swingeing spending cuts at the moment. We must not throw away
this chance to get it right.
“The plan to set up a royal college must not become a distraction. Change
needs to be delivered on the ground. Social workers need to have a say and a
voice in the workplace but they have been gagged. The public have a right to
hear what it is like on the front-line.”
Not a member?
If you're not a member of a union, join one now! Union members get a better deal at work all round. To find out more go to Join UNISON?