Coronavirus: Social workers forced to make ‘DIY protection kits’ for visits

A British Association of Social Workers (BASW) survey found that social workers are having to make their own DIY safety kits for visits, often using water, bowls and soap.

A lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hand sanitiser and facemasks, is one of the biggest concerns for social workers, the survey found.

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“I manage the social work team in a hospital. I have been informed today that PPE including scrubs, gloves, aprons and even simple masks will only be available to doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and nurses,” one social worker told BASW.

Another said: “We are being told business as usual. Keep visuals to a bare minimum and doing a lot on the phones. However, we have no personal protective equipment, no hand sanitiser or aprons or masks available."

A lack of access to hand sanitiser is a particular concern after visits, according to another of the 1,200 social workers surveyed.

“We have been given no hand sanitiser to use in the car after each visit, today I am going to take a bowl, soap, a towel and hot water in thermos flasks so I can wash my hands after each visit. There is equally no hand sanitiser in the offices.”

Our call for hand-gels and the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for social workers reaching local press, as a well as national @BASW_UK working to keep social workers and the communities they serve safe https://t.co/JWqdlrmlxe

— BASW (@BASW_UK) March 25, 2020

Government guidance says social workers should continue visiting vulnerable children who are in self-isolation even if they, or their family, have coronavirus symptoms including a fever and cough.

Social care departments will be “expected to prioritise support to the most vulnerable” amid the pandemic, according to Department for Education guidance.

“Social workers are showing incredible commitment to protecting people in the midst of this crisis,” said BASW chief executive Ruth Allen.

“They need to see the same commitment from the government and employers to get them the information, advice and resources that meet their practice needs.”

Another major concern highlighted in the survey is how to support vulnerable children effectively during the current lockdown, with isolation putting many at greater risk.

Social workers say there is a lack of information and direction on how best to protect vulnerable children amid the pandemic.

One social worker said visits are being carried out “on the doorstep”, adding that they “aren’t really effective in safeguarding children”.

Another said: “There is no clear policy on what we do for child protection visits with government policy currently aimed at health professionals and adult social care.”

Allen added: “No social worker should be put in a position where they don’t have the information to assess and manage substantial risks to themselves or people they support.”