The Scottish government and partners across the social work sector have announced a joint commitment to dismantle systemic racism affecting both staff and supported people in social work services.

The Scottish government’s social work anti-racism oversight group has launched a workforce survey for staff to inform its work, as it develops a national action plan on racism in the sector.

The Anti-Racism Survey for Social Work has been launched to capture experiences of racism in the sector and will be used to ‘drive action and change to end racism in social work’.

It comes as the group published a National Anti-racism Statement of Intent, which commits social work partners to work together to change employment practices, recruitment approaches and learning materials in efforts to eradicate racism from the sector.

Joanna Macdonald, Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser for the Scottish government is urging all social work staff and students to respond to the survey:

“The Statement of Intent is a collective commitment to drive forward an actively anti-racist approach for social work in Scotland.

“We want a profession characterised by dignity and respect for all, where all workers have the opportunity to train, work, and progress in a way that is meaningful to them.

“We want to know how racism affects wellbeing, careers and lives. We want to understand what’s being done to challenge and eradicate racism.

“We appeal to all social workers, social work educators and social work students – please complete the Anti-Racism Survey for Social Work. Help us create a social work profession free of racism.”

The survey was due close on 29 November 2024, but has been extended to receive responses into December 2024.

The social work anti-racism group was formed last year with the Scottish Association of Social Workers (SASW) and partners from the social work sector, to share its members’ experience and expertise to promote active anti-racism in the profession and oversee the development and implementation of a national action plan on racism.

Alison Bavidge, National Director at SASW said the organisation’s 2021 report “exposed the scale and impact” of racism in Scottish social work and the need for change.

The report found that racism is experienced throughout social work education and employment settings, and significantly harms individuals and the profession. It also detailed that when racism is reported, it is rarely dealt with in a satisfactory way.

Ms Bavidge said this statement and workforce survey is a step in the right direction:

“This Statement of Intent signed by Scottish government and the representative body for Local government, COSLA, signals commitment from both national and local government to make change.

“We urge students and social workers, whether in practice, leaders or academics, to complete the survey so that we can gather as much information about experiences of racism and any work being undertaken in the sector to tackle it.

“And for those have experienced or seen racism, know that this is a step in the right direction.”

Kerry Musselbrook & Katie Feyerabend, Development Lead & Research Analysis Lead, Iriss added:

"We know racism is prevalent in social work, but we do not have enough data on the full extent of the issue, its impact on people, or actions being taken.

“Because of this we want to gather feedback from everyone involved in social work, including students, educators, practitioners, managers and leaders.

“This will be a key in creating a baseline from which to deliver action, monitor progress and inform the way ahead.

“It will be repeated every two years to hold us all accountable. We all have a part to play.”

Any social work student or social worker affected by racism can seek free, confidential support from the Scottish government-funded Social Work Professional Support Service.

UPDATE 03/12/24: The survey remains open to responses.

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