Report tells of staff distress as social work hits ‘tipping point’

Social work in Scotland has reached a “critical tipping point”, according to a report.

The Setting the Bar report was commissioned by Social Work Scotland to look at the profession across Scotland in an effort to understand whether there are enough professionals to work with people in the way they are trained to.

It found that social workers are experiencing “moral distress” as they struggle to manage their workload.

The Scottish Government has been urged to take urgent action to support the workforce and ensure new professionals are trained and recruited.

The research draws on existing evidence and two surveys, one of which was responded to by more than 1,500 professionals, nearly 25% of the 6,000 of those who work in the public sector. It found that social work is facing real challenges in rising demand coupled with a lack of understanding of the profession.

The coronavirus pandemic, cuts to local authority budgets and increased administrative burdens, have exacerbated the issue.

A Social Work Scotland spokesman said the research findings are not a “surprise” but help the organisation make “a case for change”. A spokesman said: “It’s clear from the report that social workers want to make a difference to people, and support them as policy and legislation aims set out.”

The findings will be presented in discussion with national agencies and the Scottish Government.

The report also highlighted that social workers are committed to the values of their job and the people they work with.

Unison, Scotland’s largest social work union have welcomed the report but have said reducing caseloads is only part of the solution.

Stephen Smellie, chairman of the union’s Social Work Issues Group, said: “Social workers are under enormous pressure and our members have told us they feel exhausted, undervalued and are struggling to deal with the demands placed upon them.

“It is seriously underresourced and services are at breaking point.”

“Members have told us they feel completely exhausted