By Tony O’Reilly-
Recent reports and surveys indicate that racism against social workers, particularly those from minority ethnic groups, has increased significantly in the past year, a concern widely shared by practitioners. This escalating issue is reported to stem from both external societal factors and internal institutional failings, profoundly impacting the mental health, career progression, and retention of minoritized staff. Social workers endorse concerns from fostering leaders about rising levels of racism against staff from minority groups, in response to a poll
A poll by Community Care revealed that a significant majority of practitioners perceive a sharp increase in racism. Of 861 respondents, 76% said levels of racism had increased in the past year, with 57% stating the rise was “significant”. This echoes warnings from bodies like the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers (NAFP), which linked the increase to “rising hostility towards immigrants and the normalisation of discriminatory views” in wider society.
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A 2021 survey found that 37% of social workers reported experiencing racism from service users or their families at least once in a 12-month period. More recent 2024 data indicated that minority ethnic staff were four times more likely than white staff to report discrimination from clients and families. Racism from colleagues and managers remains a major issue. A 2022 survey found over a quarter (28%) of social workers had experienced racism from workmates.
The 2024 Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) report showed minority ethnic staff continue to face worse outcomes than white colleagues across most metrics, including being less likely to be appointed from a shortlist and more likely to enter formal disciplinary processes.
Social workers report a “lack of clear guidance and leadership” at senior levels on how to respond to racism. Many find existing policies “tokenistic” or poorly implemented, with no accountability for discriminatory behaviour, leading to a lack of confidence in reporting mechanisms.
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Many feel their career progression has been limited by racism, with a significant drop in Black representation from frontline to management roles. The 2025 SC-WRES report noted that minority ethnic staff were 21% more likely to leave their role than white star Many feel their career progression has been limited by racism, with a significant drop in Black representation from frontline to management roles.
Professional bodies and practitioners are demanding systemic change. This includes a call for a sustained “cultural commitment to anti-racism education,” mandatory anti-racist values in professional standards, and the establishment of independent reporting bodies. The consensus is that awareness is no longer enough; decisive and accountable action is required to address this “blight on the profession”.
The evidence presented in numerous reports and surveys paints a stark picture of a profession grappling with an internal and external racism crisis that has demonstrably intensified, requiring urgent and meaningful intervention from government and sector leaders.
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