'Perfect storm' warning as government urged to recognise value of social work

Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 16 November 2022

BASW England’s chair has warned of a “perfect storm” in the year ahead for social work against a backdrop of greater pressure on people and cuts to public services.

Vava Tampa, urged the government to act to support the workforce and recognise the value of social work.

 “We need 2023 to be the year in which the government grasps that health and social care is nothing without social workers,” he told delegates at the BASW England conference.

“We are physically and mentally fatigued with many likely to reduce their hours or even leave the profession altogether because of lack of government investment support and reward.”

Calling for transparency over likely cuts to services he added: “Minsters should be honest with the public about the scale of the cuts and the caseload increase facing social workers, and they should end the scapegoating of social workers for issues affecting social services because of year-on-year cuts to real terms funding.

“We know that to build the future and the society we want we need to focus on social justice, by tackling the cost of living crisis, fighting the climate crisis, ending violence against women and making Black Lives Matter. These issues are at the heart of the work BASW England will carry out going forwards.”

And looking back to the legacy of Covid-19, he said: “After all that social workers have gone through during the pandemic we are dismayed there has been no investment in social work in England, which is in serious crisis.

“As social workers we are facing a perfect storm and evidence of what this means on the ground is everywhere to see. Fuel bills have doubled, even with the energy price cuts, and food prices have gone up by 13 per cent, house prices by 11 per cent.

“Our public services are in crisis. Around 4,000 childcare providers closed in the last year “Over 2.6 million people have unmet needs and six million are waiting for hospital treatment.

“And yet ten per cent of posts were vacant in June which makes progress in cutting NHS waiting times almost impossible.

“All of this impacts those who rely on public services, those on benefits, those who work in the public sector and it will exacerbate the poverty, unemployment, mental health crisis, substance misuse and inequalities social workers work day in day out to address.”

“It is incumbent on us to fulfil the BASW code of ethics to support people, meet their needs and protect them from harm and we have honoured this duty at every step by defending social workers, championing social justice and challenging incoherent and damaging government policies.”

Priorities for 2023

Outlining priorities for the year ahead, Maris Stratulis, BASW national director, revealed how BASW is engaged with the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, and ensuring social workers are engaged in the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

Marius said: “There will also be a focus on social justice, both for professionals and for the people we work with. We will focus on poverty, anti-austerity and on campaigns, specifically the Hillsborough Law Now campaign.

“In terms of social work education, priorities include the PCF [professional capabilities framework] and student bursaries and in terms of the social work reform agenda, there will be a specific focus on adult social care and the Independent Review of Children's Social Care.

“We have really got to come together in terms of the issue of social justice. We are facing unprecedented times and we have got to have a loud strong voice as an association.”

BASW England has actively supported the BLM movement, and Vava Tampa added: “I am proud of the achievements of the Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium and the work they do to be the voice and give support to the thousands of ethnic minority social workers in England.

“BASW England also remains committed to improving the experiences of LGBTQ+ colleagues in local authorities and the NHS.

“We are doing everything in our power to push for cultural transformation to ensure everyone of all characteristics is fairly treated, valued and accepted in society and at work.”