Racism forcing social workers to consider leaving roles, research finds

A survey of both children and adults social workers by key social work organisations including from the Adults’ and Children’s Principal Social Workers’ Networks, Social Work England, Office of the Chief Social Workers, and What Works for Children’s Social Care shows that nine per cent of social workers had experienced incidents of racism directed at them by colleagues and managers.

A similar number reported witnessing service users or families experiencing racism from colleagues or managers. 

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More than a third of black or Asian respondents reported experiencing incidents of racism from service users and families.

Respondents to the survey reported that social workers from minoritised ethnic groups experienced higher workloads, increased scrutiny of their work and negative assumptions about their skills. 

Black and ethnic minority social workers are also disproportionately referred to fitness to practise investigations, the report finds.

Respondents also noted that opportunities for career progression were either denied or unavailable to social workers from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.

Of 2,000 social workers who took part in the survey, 65 per cent have worked with children.

The results of the survey will be used to shape a forthcoming action plan to address racism within social work by the Anti-Racist Steering Group which is comprised of representatives from key social work organisations behind the report.

Farah Khan and Sharon Davidson, co-chairs of the Principal Children and Families Social Worker Network, warned that racism within the sector could exacerbate a current staffing crisis within children’s social work.

“At a time when our profession struggles to retain social workers, the impact of racism on our profession, the workforce, the individual and the people we support cannot be underestimated,” they said.

“Therefore it is imperative that the findings from this report  are used to drive forward sector change. As a network, we will play a key role in driving this change, as tackling racism needs a sector wide collaborative approach.”

Anna Bacchoo, director of practice for What Works for Children’s Social Care, said: “The results of the survey are very difficult to read because they paint a picture of widespread racism that has a serious impact on people’s mental health and career progression. We must work across organisations and agencies to become a more anti-racist profession.”