Children and Families Social Work Deemed Less Important in Survey

Saturday, March 26, 2011 15:12
Posted in category Social Workers Services
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A survey conducted by Comres for LGA assessed public opinion on which sectors must receive far more public spending, and which they deemed most crucial. Youngsters and families social work scored relatively low in the list of public priorities.

In a list of public sectors which the public considered “frontline services” Youngsters and Families social work was rated eighth. Even amongst other social care sectors, it fell beneath social services for the elderly and for disabled men and women.

Usually, male and female respondents agreed on what they considered important sectors, but interestingly there was a substantial distinction with regards to social work. The greatest discrepancy was in youngsters and families social work, with 10% fewer men regarding it as a frontline service.

The sectors which scored extremely were Police, Fire Service and Hospital Staff, all of whom deal instantly in emergency situations. For that reason their significance is felt a lot more urgently. Perhaps the reason why social work is not given high priority is due to the fact public awareness of what social work achieves is quite low. Due to the fact social workers aim to stop harmful situations it is hard for folks to grasp the significance of their role within society.

An additional reason why youngsters and families social work scored low may possibly be a result of the fact that it deals with a minority of society. The work of the emergency services and healthcare in general affects everyone in a much a lot more immediate way. This might also explain why care for the elderly scored higher than other divisions of social work.

The fact is even so, that tens of thousands of children owe their lives to qualified social workers. In the lengthy run their work reduces crime figures and eases the pressure on health services. Their work also gives men and women in the lowest ebbs of society a chance to pull themselves out of destructive circumstances.

Social Care Recruitmentis in crisis and efforts have been made to improve the scenario and encourage much more folks to grow to be qualified social workers. But for as long as the fundamental attitudes to social work don’t change social workers will continue to be undervalued for their essential contribution to society.

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