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Glasgow social workers living in fear of attack

Figures show assaults have doubled in just five years
angry abuse shouting woman threatened

Violent assaults against social workers and their health colleagues have more than doubled in five years in Glasgow, a Freedom of Information enquiry has found.

There have been 2,514 assaults against Glasgow City Council social workers who safeguard children and vulnerable adults in the city since 2020.

Of these, 1,135 incidents were classed by the council as 'physically aggressive’ and a further 395 attacks left staff with a psychological injury. 

Data obtained by the Glasgow Times shows a steady rise in reported incidents. In 2020, 152 assaults were reported to council chiefs, of which 58 were classed as violent and 17 deemed to have a long-term impact on staff.

This leapt to 553 attacks in 2021, more than three times the 2020 figure, with 209 incidents considered physical, and 74 having a psychological impact on staff.

There was a slight dip in overall numbers in 2023 with 507 incidents, although violent incidents peaked at 257 assaults.

By 2025, numbers had fallen to 354 incidents, with 161 classed as physical or aggressive.

Local councillor Paul Carey BEM (Anniesland and Drumchapel) described the figures as “alarming” and has demanded better safeguards be put in place to protect employees.

He wants to see an end to lone working in social work in the city, and more robust training offered to combat violence.

“Quite clearly there needs to be better practices to protect those on the frontline who are at risk of abuse and attacks.

“No one should have to endure this level of fear and intimidation while doing their job. The fact the figures increased shows that this needs to be taken very seriously.

“The main issues I hear from my constituents working within Glasgow’s health and social care partnership is that lone working needs to be replaced and better training that meets the challenges of the job need to be introduced."

Council bosses have attributed the rise to their campaign to encourage staff to report abusive behaviour, and better monitoring of violent incidents.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Any form of violence or aggression towards our staff is unacceptable. 

“Over the past five years the HSCP has prioritised staff training and awareness on incident reporting which has likely contributed to the rise in reported figures.

“Given the size, scale and complexity of services being delivered by the health and social care partnership on a daily basis – these figures show a decline and we hope staff continue to report incidents, no matter how insignificant.

 “We have a robust system of safeguards in place across the service, with continuous monitoring of violent and non-violent incidents.”

Date published
24 September 2025

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