Standing together against racism and violence

As representatives of social workers across England, the Children and Families and Adults Principal Social Worker (PSW) Networks are increasingly concerned by the continuing anti-migrant riots, widespread racism, intimidation and disruption to communities, and the disinformation exacerbating tensions via social media.

Despite the current government response, we recognise, and are concerned by, the long term impacts on communities and families of this disruption and the effects this will continue to have on relationships, interactions and trust between families, neighbours, services and support providers, notably people providing direct care.

A primary aspect of the social work role, as emphasised in the Social Work England professional standards, is to promote the rights, strengths and wellbeing of people, families, and communities.

The professional standards also expect that as social workers we promote social justice, helping to confront and resolve issues of inequality and inclusion. Anti-discriminatory practice and allyship is at the heart of social work practice. These riots are a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the deep-rooted racial inequalities in our society. As social workers, we stand in solidarity with marginalised communities and commit to working tirelessly towards a just and equitable society.

The PSW Networks are united in their determination to collectively promote and encourage dialogue, challenge and purposeful activity that enables effective social work with, and across, diverse communities. We also recognise the further need to acknowledge the impact of racism on our colleagues and friends and both welcome and expect local authority employers to reiterate and review existing local staff safety measures and opportunities for continued oversight and responsive support.

We believe these measures will further enable organisations that employ social workers to promote the key standards for practice noted above and highlight the integral role of social work in enabling communities and individuals to implement positive change despite current challenges and uncertainty. 

We recognise the vital role you play in promoting social justice and confronting issues of inequality and inclusion and your safety and wellbeing are of utmost importance to us. We encourage you to prioritise your safety while seeking support. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive work environment for you to carry out your duties.

Best wishes,

The Co-Chairs of the Children and Families and Adults Principal Social Worker Networks