Earlier this month The Professional Association for Social Work and Social Workers, known as BASW UK, released a petition asking the government to amend the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill to include Social Workers as a profession that it is an offence to assault while on duty.
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As Independent Social Workers, we work with families who often represent the most vulnerable within society. Issues of mental health, learning difficulties, domestic abuse and drug misuse are just some of the factors that we are asked to assess in terms of the risks that they present to children and whether those risks can be ameliorated with support or training. Parents are aware that our role is important and despite every effort to neutralise the balance of power within our relationships with parents, we will ultimately have an impact on their lives by the recommendations that we make.
In a high number of our assessments, children have already been removed from their parents and the relationship between the family and professionals has already become emotive. Anger and frustration are typical responses we encounter and when we add to that, the additional factors, there are inevitable risks that emotions will overwhelm and overcome the emotional capacity of any parent. As Independent Social Workers, we anticipate all of this and work to reassure parents to the best of our abilities however, should we be prepared to accept that anger when it leads to an assault?
Prosecution serves as a deterrent that offers us increased reassurance and protection from those who would target us merely because of the role we undertake. At Advanced CCA, we stand beside all of our Social Work colleagues and support zero tolerance of violence or abuse.
