Working Conditions and wellbeing

1. Working Conditions and wellbeing BASW/ SWU/ SASW

2. Social Worker; Professional Specifications • Honours degree qualification/ Registration • International recognition • Human Rights grounded • Personal accountability for performing to standards • Personal accountability for maintaining and developing professional knowledge and competence • BASW code of ethics • Social justice/ social protection • Ok: so how does this translate in practice?

3. Social worker

4. International Definition of Social Work 2014 Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.  Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social workengages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.

5. As an individual SW • Support and supervision geared to a SW professional • An environment which facilitates and is conducive to professional practice, and where the agency holds itself accountable for this. • A structured, transparent and equitable caseload management system. • Built-in time for post-intervention reflection and evaluation of cases. • A structured and agreed CPD plan • A “practitioners forum” of some description

6. Professional Body: SASW • Run and governed by members • Purpose to safeguard, maintain, develop and promote the profession. • Not compromised by party political agenda • Not compromised by business objectives and constraints of delivery agencies • Independent of any other Social Work Establishment stakeholders…therefore able to deal squarely and honestly with all of them on behalf of members and in the sole interest of the profession

7. A&R service • Team are all qualified, registered and experienced social workers who understand the world of social work • Strong understanding of employment law • Completely independent of the employers - so in a stronger position to represent our members that the other unions, whose reps are usually themselves employed by the same employer, which can introduce other tensions • Support independents with regulators • SWU – certified trade union • Joining SWU guarantees representation* - Employers can refuse BASW access to represent our members - but they cannot refuse access to SWU. • BASW A&R Officers, are also all SWU Trade Union Officials so cannot legally be denied entry to individually represent our members. • SWU is developing a network of SWU Trade Union contactsand we are always looking to recruit social workers ‘on the ground’ to grow this network. • If member qualifies

8. Working Conditions and well-being Bath Spa university Dr Jermaine Ravalier (2017 and 2018) Dr Charlotte Boichat Survey completed by: 1600 in 2017 3421 social workers 2018 Approx 300 returns Scotland Objectives: • Identify what working conditions are like, and influence that these have on stress • Look at what needs to be done to improve working conditions and subsequently reduce stress and related outcomes

9. methodology • Email with link to survey sent to all BASW and SWU members • Social media push • Different measures: • Working conditions through management standards indicators tool, • Also measured stress through Perceived stress scale, job satisfaction, presenteeism, migration and attrition turnovers • One open ended question re what would make the job less stressful

10. findings • Working conditions are worse than 90%- 95% of other UK employees in both public and private sector occupations • Nearly half of all SW ers dissatisfied (41% in 2017) • Two thirds attended work while ill at least twice in last year • SW ers work average 64 days per year more than contracted (11 hours per week) • Nearly 70% attended work while so ill they should have taken time off • 60% looking to leave current job in next 15 months (52% 2017) • 40% looking to leave profession entirely • Main levels of stress high case and admin loads, lack of resources for service users

11. Solutions: • SW ers need positive professional working conditions to provide the best services • Strong leadership to manage the demands on SW ers • Management training for SW ers • Reduce stress and provide wellbeing support • Professional development Time for reflective supervision to work through complex cases • Manageable caseloads and a consistent approach to caseload allocation • Employ more SW ers • Reverse the blame culture and give SW ers respect and positive support • Flexible and remote working through improved technology • 80/20 quality time with individuals and families • Fair pay and careers

12. BASW/ SASW response:https://www.basw.co.uk/what-we-do/campaigns/professional-working-conditions • The research finds that social workers are strongly engaged in their work, and want the very best outcomes for people that use services, but they are hampered by a lack of resources, high case and administrative loads and inadequate opportunities for structured reflective practice. It is these three areas that SASW will focus on over the next year. 

13. SASW specific actions • Social Work Services Strategic Forum • Meetings with CSWO • Writing to MSPs • Ensuring representation in the media • Involving people who use services • SASW Awards • Series: “the role of the social worker in…” series • Visits to areas/ teams • Collaborative efforts with academia, IRISS, SWS • Highlighting best practice

14. How you can help • Support our campaign on working conditions: happy staff make for best practice! Contact SASW for us to come out and assist. • Share your good practice and learning for great services. • Engage with SASW on work and caseload management approaches, developed in partnership. • Share evidence on how effective practice and preventative services are improving outcomes. • Professional development and wellbeing support: we have a number of seminars and workshops which focus on the unique role of the social worker in various settings- contact SASW to find out how we can help • Support your social work leaders, managers and teams • Let us support you in evidencing how you and your teams live the BASW Code of Ethics

15. Thank You! Trisha Hall, Social Worker, National Director SASW, Shandwick House, 67 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4SD Tel:  (office) 0131 2857374 Direct dial: 0131 2857375 mobile:  07918 848183 www.basw.co.uk/scotland https://www.facebook.com/SASW01/or Twitter:  @ScotsSW