BASW Cymru Social Work Professional Support Service performance report to Welsh Government

The Professional Support Service in Wales was launched on 17th November 2021, it offers a peer-to-peer listening service, in which trained volunteer coaches can support colleagues in confidence. It is here to help social workers debrief and reflect upon concerns in a safe space.

This report is based on data collected between launch date and end of February 2022, including a summary of activities and analysis of emerging themes during this short period of implementation.

This is a snapshot of the types of issues being raised with our Welsh volunteer coaches during their sessions with ‘coachees’. The information is extracted from record-keeping forms that coaches are required to complete at the end of each contact.
 - Emotional and physical impact of current work.
- Increased responsibilities coupled with personal and workplace issues.
- Extra pressure due to covid.
- Difficult transition into new senior job roles.
- Reflection to manage issues related to team culture.
- Coping with family bereavement and own ill health.
- Being taken through disciplinary procedures at work.
- Loss of confidence.
- Coping with isolation.
- Reflection for enhanced wellbeing.
- Reflection to clarify priorities/goals.
- Reflection to help with a good work – life balance