This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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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.