SASW calls for more opportunities to study social work

SASW National Director, Alison Bavidge this week met with Scottish Greens Spokesperson on Health and Social Care, Gillian Mackay MSP to discuss ways to improve social work workforce capacity. 

During Mental Health Awareness Week, SASW briefed all opposition parties on the unsustainable demands being placed on social workers in Scotland and the damaging impact this is having on their mental health and wellbeing. As a result, many social workers are experiencing serious levels of stress, burnout, anxiety and exhaustion which is putting them under severe pressure and forcing them out of the profession. 

The problems facing social workers were laid bare in the recent Setting the Bar report, which concluded that “the values to which they (social workers) are deeply committed are compromised, with wellbeing impacts, making the job no longer tenable.”

On the back of SASW's briefing, Ms Mackay agreed to meet with Alison to discuss how the Scottish Greens could support SASW's campaign to improve working conditions for social workers, particularly with the National Care Service Bill now introduced to parliament and the opportunities this might create to reform the profession.

Discussions focused on the need to reform social work with a greater focus on practice based in communities, early intervention and prevention, a clear career pathway and training opportunities and giving social workers time and space to reflect and build relationships with those who use services. Ms Mackay agreed that these improvements are needed and confirmed that she would work with SASW to press for them. She highlighted that improving public understanding, awareness and visibility of social work also needs to be taken forward with Scottish Ministers. On the NCS Bill, Ms Mackay emphasised that the Scottish Greens want to see a structure that is 'outcome focused' and not simply a new structure that adopts the same working practices as before, adding that it is imperative that those working in and using services are able to shape how it operates.

Ms Mackay also agreed to approach Scottish Ministers on SASW's behalf to urge them to commit to more funding to be made available to increase opportunities to study social work. It comes after the Setting the Bar report found that "The number of completions from qualifying social work courses fell for five years in succession between 2013 and 2018; this appears to be related to the closure of two undergraduate courses rather than a shortage of applicants"

Increasing workforce capacity to address the rising demands on social work services must be a priority for the Scottish Government. It cannot wait until the National Care Service is created. It was therefore reassuring to hear Ms Mackay give an assurance to Alison that she will press Scottish Ministers to invest more in increasing opportunities to train to be a social worker.

If you would like to be kept updated on this campaign, please contact our Policy Officer on jonny.adamson@basw.co.uk