NI social workers launch survey exploring experiences of intimidation and violence

The Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers (NIASW) has launched a survey to examine the extent to which social workers in Northern Ireland have been subjected to intimidation, threats or violence while in practice, and to explore the impact of any incidents they have experienced.

Speaking about the research Carolyn Ewart, NIASW Country Manager, said: “We are aware from information brought to us by our members that experiences of intimidation, threats and violence are unfortunately a reality for many social workers. While such incidents may be all too common, it is never acceptable for a social worker to be subjected to these kinds of behaviour.

“We want to make sure that where necessary, social work employers improve their procedures to keep staff safe. However, to ensure improvements are made where they are required, we need to have a clear understanding of the types of violent, threatening and intimidating incidents social workers are experiencing, and of the service areas where they are at risk. We are conducting our survey to find this information out.”

As well as asking social workers about the impact of intimidation, threats or violence they have experienced directly, the questionnaire explores the effects on social workers of threats made against a team or organisation they have worked for, or a colleague they have worked with.

Ms Ewart finished by explaining: “We want to compile the most comprehensive picture we can of social workers’ experiences. That means we are just as interested in hearing from social workers who have never been subjected to intimidation, threats or violence as we are in hearing from those who have suffered these types of incident. The survey is open to all social workers in Northern Ireland and I encourage as many as possible to take part.

The survey can be accessed via the NIASW homepage – www.basw.co.uk/northern-ireland or directly from the Survey Monkey website – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G93P85M