SASW writes open letter to First Minister Candidates
Ahead of the ballot opening next week, SASW has written to all three SNP leadership candidates calling for "urgent" action to address the recruitment and retention crisis and improve working conditions for Social Workers in Scotland. The winner, who will become First Minister, will be announced "as soon as possible" after the ballot closes on 27th of March.
On the letter, SASW National Director, Alison Bavidge said: “Social worker working conditions have been deteriorating in recent years, and we have identified a number of worrying trends. Increasing demand not only affects assessment times, but also availability of care and support to vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. The next First Minister must make addressing the recruitment and retention crisis in social work a priority – or risk a mass exodus due to burnout”.
Chair of the SASW Committee and frontline social worker, Jude Currie said: 'As social workers, we want to offer the best support to people and care deeply about what we do. It's vital we have the working conditions and investment to help us do our jobs well and keep us in them. Not doing so, means denying more people their right to quality assessment, care and support in their community when they need it'.