Abuse of social workers doesn’t stop when the shift ends, warns UNISON report

Social workers are increasingly being left to deal with abuse both in person and online, says UNISON today (Thursday).

A report by the union found social workers are more likely to face abuse when conducting a home visit on their own. The research also suggests solo visits are becoming the norm.

Half (50%) of social workers said they received verbal abuse when on a solo home visit in the past 12 months, compared to two fifths (40%) who say they encountered it when on a joint home visit with a colleague.

Threats of death and physical violence were among the harrowing examples staff highlighted in their responses. 

More than a quarter (27%) who received abuse didn’t report it. When asked why, half (50%) say it’s part of the job and one in four (25%) say their employer would ignore them.

UNISON says harassment doesn’t stop when the working day ends, with more than one in eight (13%) social workers saying they’ve been bothered online.

Of these, the most common form of harassment was the receipt of abusive messages or emails (experienced by 80% of staff who had been targeted). Seeing negative posts on social media (29%) and being filmed (26%) were also reported.

The research found that solo home visits are on the increase with a quarter (26%) of staff saying they’d done more solo visits in the previous 12 months, compared with just 7% who say they did fewer. Almost all (92%) say their bosses regard solo home visits as the norm. 

An increase in demand for services (81%) and staff shortages (64%) were the main reasons given for the rise in solo visits by respondents.  

UNISON says unless more is done to tackle the abuse of staff then councils will struggle to meet increasing demand for social work services.

The report found more than a quarter (28%) said they feel unsafe conducting home visits and the same proportion say they’re considering leaving the profession.

UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan said: “This report paints a worryingly toxic picture of what it’s like being a social worker on the frontline and the risks that come with that.

“The abuse doesn’t end when a shift does. Online abuse is now an extra hazard for staff who face being harassed on social media, filmed and sent abuse."

“Social workers routinely deliver services, often alone, in emotionally charged and sometimes hostile environments."

“Although working with a colleague reduces the likelihood of abuse, it doesn't eliminate it."

“The emotional toll of this abuse risks driving social workers out of the profession."

“Without changes to staffing levels and a shift in how the public views social work, risks to both staff wellbeing and the level of service they and local authorities can provide will continue to grow.”

Notes to editors:

– The full report is available here.

– Case studies:

“Someone threatened to gouge my eyes out and kill me. My car’s been damaged, people have threatened to harm my children, and I’ve received abusive text messages.”

Female social worker, East Midlands

“I end up solo working because of time constraints and staff shortages. If we had enough staff, I would ask for support to feel safer.”

Female social worker, South East

“I was prevented from leaving a property by an exit being physically blocked. I managed to de-escalate the situation and we left. However, one of the people continued to follow us and abuse us.”

Female social worker, Scotland

– UNISON’s national conference began in Brighton on Tuesday and continues until tomorrow (Friday 19 June). More details are available here.

– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Dan Ashley M: 07508 080349 E: [email protected]

Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: [email protected]