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Survey shows awareness of rising demand for social work
12/07/2005
A MORI survey of public attitudes towards social work
has found that the profession has a broadly positive
profile in Scotland and highlights recognition that the
demand for social services is set to increase significantly
in the future.
The research, commissioned by the Scottish Executive on
behalf of the 21st Century Social Work Review surveyed over
1000 adults and held eight focus groups across the country.
Views were sought on people's right to social welfare,
responsibilities of individuals and families, awareness of
the range of services, attitudes to social workers, use of
and satisfaction with existing services and future
priorities.
The survey found that 78 cent of those who had used
social work services (around 350 of those surveyed) were
satisfied with the services they received and 69 per cent
indicated that social services were quick to respond to
needs.
Half of those surveyed agreed that they understood the
role of social workers (37 per cent felt they did not
understand the role) and 42 per cent of respondents had a
positive or very positive perception of the work (with 24
per cent having a negative perception).
Throughout the survey, a number of research participants
made references to staff shortages and there was
recognition that social workers are required to undertake a
wide range of difficult tasks and that some of the burden
could be shifted to other agencies.
When asked whether they think the need for social work
services will increase or decrease in the next 20 years,
three quarters of respondents said they thought it would
increase due to the ageing population, a perceived increase
in the number of drug and alcohol related problems and
family breakdown. In discussing future need, focus group
participants suggested that the government needs to do more
to tackle the causes of problems that include encouraging
individuals to take more responsibility for themselves and
their families.
Willy Roe, chair of the review said:
"It would certainly seem, from this survey, that the
priorities of the public chime with the findings of the
review group. People recognise the day-to-day challenges
and dilemmas that the social services workforce faces, that
demand for services is increasing and that the government
and social work need to make greater efforts to prevent
problems arising in the first place. This is precisely why
we have undertaken this wide-ranging review in partnership
with a raft of individuals, groups and organisations. This
survey, along with the wealth of views we have been
gathering from other sources, will ensure that our
recommendations to Ministers are founded upon robust
evidence and reality."
COSLA Social Work Spokesperson, Councillor Eric Jackson
and Review Group member said:
"This survey shows that the public values social work
services and that the work they do does not go unnoticed.
However it is significant that people clearly see that
demands on social work services are increasing and that we
have to respond to those changes to prevent the system from
becoming overloaded. What is also interesting is that those
who took part in the survey see that there are good things
about social work. The survey confirms what many in the
profession would perceive as a fair reflection of social
work in Scotland. What I take from this survey is that
public opinion is largely with social work but that they do
not want to see social work standing still. This gives the
review a new public as well as a Ministerial challenge, it
is a challenge I am sure the review is up to".
Colin Mackenzie, President, Association of Directors of
Social Work said:
"I welcome the outcome of this research which
acknowledges the hard work and commitment of our front line
staff in assisting and enabling service users on a daily
basis. There have been a small number of adverse press
stories reporting on things that we don't get right in
public service and it is pleasing to know that despite
these stories there is a high degree of satisfaction and
confidence within the wider public on the day-to-day work
of social work services. It is important that the review
builds on the strengths identified by this survey and
acknowledges the very real extra demands placed on our hard
working staff and scarce resources. It is vital that all
those agencies working in social work pull together and
ensure that our services go from strength to strength".
The 21st Century Social Work Review Group is due to make
its final recommendations to Ministers this autumn. A full
copy of Public Knowledge and Attitudes to Social Work in
Scotland by MORI Scotland is at
www.21csocialwork.org.uk
The review, announced last year by Peter Peacock,
Minister for Education and Young People, is the first
fundamental look at social work since the Social Work
(Scotland) Act 1968. The 21st Century Social Work Review
Group consists of 13 independent experts from the statutory
and voluntary sectors with knowledge of social work,
health, housing, homelessness, education and criminal
justice.
The review group has been gathering evidence through
written submissions, a series of consultation events,
research programmes and through five sub groups of the main
review group, such as a users' and carers' panel,
performance improvement and stakeholder groups. In
addition, six local authorities and two voluntary
organisations are also actively participating in the work
of the review which is giving the review group the
opportunity to understand the realities and the challenges
of social work practice across Scotland.