"Messages from Social Work"

On 6, 7 and 8 June 2023, the SASW Team will be holding an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament. We are using the opportunity to showcase "Messages from Social Work" - giving MSPs an insight into the reality of being a social worker and a person using services in Scotland today. 

The exhibition is a chance for us to debunk stereotypes, to raise awareness of some of the working conditions and wellbeing concerns facing the profession and to ignite thinking about how social work can be a more effective and healthier profession in the future. 

Follow our social media across the 3 days for live updates from the event, and send us messages you might have for MSPs that you want us to share in real time by using the hashtag #MessagesFromSocialWork. We're encouraging MSPs to get involved and show their support for the profession, so keep an eye out for any content they share using the hashtag - you could even tweet your local MSP and encourage them to come and visit the exhibition if they haven't already. 

A few examples of some of the "messages" we're sharing include:

"My days now are mostly spent sitting at a desk looking at my computer screen and compiling another assessment - taking the 'social' out of social work"

50% of social workers describe their current caseload as not at all manageable

"We lose critical skills and experience when people leave the profession, so retention and recruitment must be a focus, and newly qualified social workers must get proper support, good supervision and time to learn"

One in four social workers leave within the first 6 years of practice

"Social work is build on relationships and the skills to work with people before they reach crisis. We need time and investment in the profession and the system we work in"

Investing in people is beneficial to society: it is an investment in ourselves and one another