By Charlotte Webster-
Four out of five children’s social workers consider their workload unmanageable, a survey by Community Care has shockingly revealed.
The survey of children’s social workers by the online resource organisation aimed at aiding the careers of social workers, revealed an average caseload considerably higher than the government’s figure. An insider at Community Care told The Eye Of Media.Com that ” more needs to be done to relieve social workers of the heavy burden they face in order to help them provide the best service possible. Social workers provide a very important service to society and it is a crying shame that they feel they are given far much tasks than they can handle”.
Community Care revealed that 81% of social workers don’t find their current workload manageable and worryingly reveal that some social workers don’t see a future for themselves in the profession unless there is an urgent improvement. The organisation which seeks to influence the consistent delivery of efficient and defensive decision making in social services was shocked with their findings, which they conducted during a one week period in the first week of April. ”Providing guidance and reflective practices is one of the chief aims of Community Care”, our source stated.
Community Care provide a mixture of training sessions, panel discussions, case studies and interactive learning, all aimed at improving the career prospects of social workers and aspiring social workers. Surveys like the one we are reporting are conducting to improve social services.
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Out of the 757 social workers in full time employment surveyed, 80% said their workload was unmanageable. Out of 57 social workers who reported working part time, a high 86% said their workload was unmanageable.
TOTALLY UNMANAGEABLE
One newly qualified children’s social worker with a caseload of 27 working in a child protection team told Community Care their caseload was “totally unmanageable” and they didn’t feel like they “ever give a good service”.
She told Community Care:
“I am constantly stressed and worried that I am leaving vulnerable children at risk simply because I don’t have the time and resources to do the basics to protect them.
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“I’m currently in my first year and am due to complete my [assessed and supported year in employment] next month, but am very sadly unsure how much longer I will last in this profession.”
Another social worker with a caseload of 27 said they were considered one of the most experienced in their team even though they only completed their ASYE the year before, while another who held 32 cases said they were “unable to complete quality work” and constantly felt “stressed, under pressure and rushed”.
The finding is shocking but confirms previously held views that social workers are under increasing stress, leading many to take drugs discretly
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