Social work in crisis: SASW responds to alarming SSSC wellbeing survey findings
The Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) are all too aware that our profession faces significant challenges. The persistent difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff have been clear indicators. However, we were still taken aback by the recently published Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) wellbeing survey.
The troubling reality for social workers
The survey reveals a workforce under extreme pressure:
• Nearly half (45%) of social workers have experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment
• Almost 50% of respondents are likely to leave the profession within 5 years, with 22% planning to depart within the next 12 months
• A striking 43% of social work staff expressed dissatisfaction with their current roles
• 60% feel overworked and 20% do not enjoy their job
• Most social workers (59%) regularly work additional unpaid hours – averaging 11.6 extra hours weekly
• Only half of all social workers feel safe in their job
• The financial situation is precarious for many – 18% find it difficult to manage financially and another 27% are just getting by
Impact on services and people
This crisis does not just affect social workers – it has consequences for the people who rely on them. High staff turnover is contributing to increased stress, falling morale, and, most importantly, poorer outcomes for those needing support.
That is why the SASW One Deal for Social Work calls for a national maximum caseload, properly balanced between early support/standard and complex. It is also why the campaign calls for a bigger focus on supporting people and minimising administration. It is also why the jointly published SASW and SWU report on flexible working calls on employers to offer this more widely to support their workforce
Professional development challenge
Despite 87% of social workers wanting to improve their knowledge and skills, nearly a third (29%) report not having the time to do so. Maintaining high-quality services when social workers cannot be released for learning and development, even where that is available, is a risk to the profession and the people we support. That is why SASW is calling for regular reflective supervision and a minimum of 35 hours formal training per year for social workers in the One Deal for Social Work campaign.
The value gap
Perhaps most concerning is how undervalued social workers feel. While research (Dr J. Hanley, 2025) shows that the public generally holds the profession in high regard, social workers themselves don't feel this appreciation – particularly from the public, their employers, and their government. That is why SASW is calling for social work to have its own dedicated national job family to enable terms and conditions for social work to be negotiated and agreed nationally, just as teachers do. This approach is needed to deliver excellent social work across the whole of Scotland. That job family should reflect any weightings required to make rural social work more attractive, and the additional qualifications and responsibilities that social workers take on as a matter of course.
Finding hope
Despite these challenges, social workers remain driven by strong values. They continue to strive to make a difference and build positive relationships with people. The survey confirms that the support of colleagues helps social workers to keep going in these increasingly difficult times. However, that alone is not sufficient. Social workers regularly undertake duties beyond their paid and contracted hours in order to keep people safe. SASW’s One Deal for Social Work calls on employers to recognise and pay overtime for this essential flexibility.
The way forward
The SSSC wellbeing report makes it abundantly clear: action is needed from employers, regulators and the Scottish Government to make social work a more attractive profession. Social workers must feel valued, safe, and have the time and resources needed to perform this vital role effectively.
This is why we've been actively campaigning through our One Deal for Social Work, pushing for the improved working conditions that social workers so desperately need and deserve. Our communities depend on a healthy, supported social work profession.
The troubling reality for social workers
The survey reveals a workforce under extreme pressure:
• Nearly half (45%) of social workers have experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment
• Almost 50% of respondents are likely to leave the profession within 5 years, with 22% planning to depart within the next 12 months
• A striking 43% of social work staff expressed dissatisfaction with their current roles
• 60% feel overworked and 20% do not enjoy their job
• Most social workers (59%) regularly work additional unpaid hours – averaging 11.6 extra hours weekly
• Only half of all social workers feel safe in their job
• The financial situation is precarious for many – 18% find it difficult to manage financially and another 27% are just getting by
Impact on services and people
This crisis does not just affect social workers – it has consequences for the people who rely on them. High staff turnover is contributing to increased stress, falling morale, and, most importantly, poorer outcomes for those needing support.
That is why the SASW One Deal for Social Work calls for a national maximum caseload, properly balanced between early support/standard and complex. It is also why the campaign calls for a bigger focus on supporting people and minimising administration. It is also why the jointly published SASW and SWU report on flexible working calls on employers to offer this more widely to support their workforce
Professional development challenge
Despite 87% of social workers wanting to improve their knowledge and skills, nearly a third (29%) report not having the time to do so. Maintaining high-quality services when social workers cannot be released for learning and development, even where that is available, is a risk to the profession and the people we support. That is why SASW is calling for regular reflective supervision and a minimum of 35 hours formal training per year for social workers in the One Deal for Social Work campaign.
The value gap
Perhaps most concerning is how undervalued social workers feel. While research (Dr J. Hanley, 2025) shows that the public generally holds the profession in high regard, social workers themselves don't feel this appreciation – particularly from the public, their employers, and their government. That is why SASW is calling for social work to have its own dedicated national job family to enable terms and conditions for social work to be negotiated and agreed nationally, just as teachers do. This approach is needed to deliver excellent social work across the whole of Scotland. That job family should reflect any weightings required to make rural social work more attractive, and the additional qualifications and responsibilities that social workers take on as a matter of course.
Finding hope
Despite these challenges, social workers remain driven by strong values. They continue to strive to make a difference and build positive relationships with people. The survey confirms that the support of colleagues helps social workers to keep going in these increasingly difficult times. However, that alone is not sufficient. Social workers regularly undertake duties beyond their paid and contracted hours in order to keep people safe. SASW’s One Deal for Social Work calls on employers to recognise and pay overtime for this essential flexibility.
The way forward
The SSSC wellbeing report makes it abundantly clear: action is needed from employers, regulators and the Scottish Government to make social work a more attractive profession. Social workers must feel valued, safe, and have the time and resources needed to perform this vital role effectively.
This is why we've been actively campaigning through our One Deal for Social Work, pushing for the improved working conditions that social workers so desperately need and deserve. Our communities depend on a healthy, supported social work profession.