Social Workers launch survey exploring experiences of intimidation, threats and violence

The Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers (NIASW) has launched a survey to examine the extent to which social workers in Northern Ireland have been subjected to intimidation, threats or violence while in practice, and to explore the impact of any incidents they have experienced.

Speaking about the research Carolyn Ewart, NIASW Country Manager, said: “We are aware from information brought to us by our members that experiences of intimidation, threats and violence are unfortunately a reality for many social workers. While such incidents may be all too common, it is never acceptable for a social worker to be subjected to these kinds of behaviour.

“We want to make sure that where necessary, social work employers improve their procedures to keep staff safe. However, to ensure improvements are made where they are required, we need to have a clear understanding of the types of violent, threatening and intimidating incidents social workers are experiencing, and of the service areas where they are at risk. We are conducting our survey to find this information out.”

The survey questionnaire is hosted online and can be accessed via a link from the NIASW homepage – www.basw.co.uk/northern-ireland. As well as asking social workers about the impact of intimidation, threats or violence they have experienced directly, the questionnaire explores the effects on social workers of threats made against a team or organisation they have worked for, or a colleague they have worked with.

Ms Ewart finished by explaining: “We want to compile the most comprehensive picture we can of social workers’ experiences. That means we are just as interested in hearing from social workers who have never been subjected to intimidation, threats or violence as we are in hearing from those who have suffered these types of incident. The survey is open to all social workers in Northern Ireland and I encourage as many as possible to take part.

ENDS

Note to Editors

• NIASW Country Manager, Carolyn Ewart, will be available for interviews.
• The survey can be accessed via the NIASW homepage – www.basw.co.uk/northern-ireland or directly from the Survey Monkey website – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G93P85M
• The Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers (NIASW) is part of the British Association Social Workers (BASW), which is the largest professional body for social workers across the UK. The Association has 21,000 members employed in frontline, management, academic and research positions in all care settings.

Contact

Andy McClenaghan, Campaigns Officer

Phone: 028 9064 8873

Mobile: 07702 517560

Email: a.mcclenaghan@basw.co.uk