The cost of living crisis will have a ‘catastrophic’ impact with an increase in the number of children entering care and a rise in domestic violence, social workers warn.
A new survey of over 240 social workers by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has provided a snapshot of the impact the crisis is having in communities.
The overwhelming majority (95%) of respondents strongly agreed with the statement that vulnerable people may die this winter due to the cost of living crisis.
Around 95% strongly agreed that domestic violence will increase and 75% strongly agreed that more children will come into care.
Over half (55%) said they strongly agreed that caseloads will become unmanageable.
When asked about the effects of the increasing cost of living on themselves, 43% said they fear they will struggle to pay their own bills and 20% expect to use a food bank.
Nearly one in 10 (9%) said they had already used a food bank recently. BASW chief executive Ruth Allen said: ‘Social workers are among the best placed professionals to comment on the cost-of-living crisis. What they have told us is shocking and an important insight into the impact on real lives.
‘To hear of social workers being forced to use food banks shows how deeply poverty and governmental neglect has penetrated.’
