A third of social workers are thinking of leaving the profession putting the system at risk of collapse, new research has warned.
A survey by the Social Workers Union reveals that a third of social workers are considering alternative careers as they feel their concerns during the pandemic have been ignored.
Half of those surveyed said they have put their own health at risk during the coronavirus crisis, while one in ten (11%) have felt threatened with disciplinary measures for raising safety concerns.
More than half (54%) said risk assessments have been poor, with a quarter saying measures have been ‘wholly insufficient’.
John McGowan, general secretary of the Social Workers Union, said: ‘The situation is dire and the social work system is on the precipice of collapse.
’Our members are considering leaving the profession en-masse if their concerns aren’t addressed. We have long argued that working conditions for social workers need to be drastically improved and sadly COVID-19 has exacerbated the problems.’
