BASW & SWU urge action from new PM after member survey shows true impact from cost-of-living crisis

Social workers fear vulnerable people will die this winter, more children will be in care and an increase in domestic violence

A new survey conducted by Professional Social Work magazine of BASW members shows the cost-of-living crisis will have a catastrophic impact on people who use services or may in the future need help.

Over 242 social workers overwhelmingly predicted vulnerable adults could die this winter, that more children would go into care, a spike in domestic violence, crime and social unrest.

The survey stats show:

The effect on people who use services:

  • 95% strongly agreed with the statement that vulnerable people may die this winter due to cost of living crisis
  • 95% strongly agreed that domestic violence will increase
  • 75% strongly agreed that more children will come into care due to cost of living crisis
  • 55% strongly agreed that caseloads will become unmanageable

The effect on social workers themselves:

  • 43% fear they will struggle to pay their own bills
  • 20% expect to use a food bank themselves soon
  • 9% already have used a food bank recently

Reacting to the results, BASW chief executive Ruth Allen said: “Social workers are among the best placed professionals to comment on the cost-of-living crisis. What they have told us is shocking and an important insight into the impact on real lives.

“To hear of social workers being forced to use food banks shows how deeply poverty and governmental neglect has penetrated.”

Allen has written to new PM Liz Truss highlighting the urgency of the situation.

John McGowan, general secretary of the Social Workers Union, added: “The package of support measures announced by the present government fall laughably short.

“Many social workers are already advising that there is just not enough in the ‘money pot’ to heat their homes and pay mortgages which is totally unacceptable.

“This winter thousands of children and adults will be cold in their own homes and that simply is not acceptable in 2022. The time for talking is over. We need real action from government.”

PSW editor Shahid Naqvi reiterated the need for the new PM to acknowledge the insights of social workers: “It’s hard to think of a profession that works more closely with people and communities at the forefront of the cost-of-living crisis than social work – so what social workers say about it should make those in power sit up and listen.”