SASW launches 'One Deal for Social Work' campaign

The Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) has called for a set of nationally agreed terms and conditions for social workers across Scotland. The call comes in the face of burnout and high vacancies resulting in too few social workers being available to meet the needs of the people of Scotland.

In the absence of separate and nationally agreed pay and conditions for the profession the country is seeing “tides of recruitment and induction, influenced by the largest authorities, that moves the existing workforce around rather than solving an ever-increasing recruitment crisis”.

SASW also points to the fact that unsafe work and caseloads that are weighted to statutory intervention, protection and crisis work coupled with a lack of time for development and training are also driving burnout in social workers who are “leaving the profession in droves” with one in four social workers who graduate leaving within six years of being in the job.

Alison Bavidge, National Director, SASW said

“Since proposals for the National Care Service were first announced, our members have been clear that social work can’t go on as is. Social workers need fair pay and the time and conditions to practice their profession as they are trained to, in a safe manner to support and protect people in Scotland.

“Our asks are not a simple answer to the crisis the profession is in, but we believe that without addressing these basic factors, it will be impossible to steer social work into a stable and sustainable future.”