How will the Welsh election impact on social work and those it supports?

Opinion polls show that Plaid Cymru is in poll position ahead of the elections, with Reform closely behind.

Labour is the current majority party in the Senedd but the anticipated change is likely to have an impact on communities, individuals and social work in Wales after the forthcoming elections.

The Welsh government’s Anti Racist Wales Action Plan was published four years ago to address systemic racism. In 2024 a supporting document Action, not words: towards an anti-racist Wales set out tangible outcomes to achieve by 2030, bringing equality across education, health, housing, workplaces and criminal justice.

Will this action plan continue if Reform have a significant hold on the Senned? That is something that is of concern to many working in our field and beyond. Reassurances are needed that promises will be kept.

Also, will our framework for social work be fully supported and backed up by financial and human resources? The Social Care Workforce Report 2024 (Social Care Wales) shows that experienced social workers are leaving the profession, and there is an increase of newly qualified social workers with limited experience. 

Our role requires flexibility, cases often demand urgent attention, social workers are needed for on-call and emergency duties 24/7. Caseloads are too often too high, which when added to other administrative duties can result in burnout and working beyond contracted hours. 

We currently have two Senedd Members with lived experience in social care. The upcoming Senedd changes may remove the understanding they have brought with them. 

Will any of the newly elected members have similar lived experience or professional backgrounds? Will the new representatives in the Senedd be willing to talk and learn from the social work community and understand the many challenges it faces? How will they work with BASW, associations of directors and the voluntary sector?

Plaid Cymru’s promotion of the Welsh language could lead to an extra burden on social workers and make social work in Wales less attractive to new recruits. While there are areas where the ability to speak Welsh is essential, making this a requirement for all is not necessary for social workers working with all families, especially across the more built-up areas of South Wales.

It is uncertain where the next Welsh government will stand on funding of social care. Social workers could be dealing with families experiencing ever increasing poverty levels, with dwindling resources.

How will policy towards immigration and asylum seekers change in a Welsh government with a large Reform minority? Will social workers be given the resources to support such communities? And if not, how do we square that with our professional ethics?

Members of the Senedd are an important support to people in the community, often acting as a conduit to help resolve issues by linking them to other services, including social workers. 

When those needing support are from minority groups and their elected representative is from Reform there could be intentional or unconscious bias resulting in a poorer level of service.

Last year saw demonstrations across the country by people supporting the far right against refugees and asylum seekers.

This spread fear in communities throughout Wales. Such feelings and unrest are likely to continue and will no doubt impact on the workload of social workers.

Neeta Baicher is a retired social worker in Wales and a former chair of BASW Cymru