Social workers strike over 'decimation of staffing'

Nipsa members on strike at the Shankill Wellbeing and Treatment Centre

Some social workers in the Belfast Health Trust are taking 48 hours of strike action from Wednesday over a "staffing crisis" in family and childcare services.

About 40 members of the Nipsa trade union from three offices across Belfast will take part.

Industrial action will also extend to other trust areas in the coming weeks.

Nipsa said in some cases, staffing was about 30-50% below the required levels, which the union claimed had led to excessive workloads and stress.

In a statement, the Health Minister Robin Swann said any improvement to workloads will be an "incremental process" and is "dependent on funding available to the department".

He added that he will be "seeking Executive transformation monies and cross-departmental support for investment in training".

'All-time high'

BBC News NI understands that in one office in the greater Belfast area, where 10 social work staff are needed, there are only two in place.

There are about 3,000 social workers in Northern Ireland.

A major report published in 2023 found hundreds of vacancies and an increase in demand for services following the pandemic.

The number of looked-after children has also hit an all-time high, with at least 3,800 looked-after children.

'Crying, leaving ... stressed out'

Social worker Damien Maguire said workers are leaving the profession

Nipsa said the strike action came after a period of negotiations with the Department of Health, which failed to address the problem of staff shortages.

Damien Maguire, who has been a social worker for 20 years, said some staff were working 50-60 hours every week.

"We can't do this anymore," he said.

"We can't have our members crying, leaving the profession, stressed out, retiring early, leaving to go to other jobs that they don't necessarily want to go into.

"This is people's lives, it's children's lives and it's families' lives but it's also the lives of those social workers who have lived experience of what it's like to work in the system."

'Decimation of staffing'

NIPSA's President Tanya Killen says there is a serious issue with recruitment and retention of staff

NIPSA's President Tanya Killen also works as a social worker within the Belfast Trust.

She says members are on strike action because of the "vandalism by the Department of Health in workforce staffing within children’s services."

She said there has been "an absolute decimation of staffing within children’s services" leading to "excessive workloads".

"Members feel that families and children are being left in a vulnerable position," Ms Killen said.

"Morale is extremely low, there is a serious issue with recruitment and retention of staff. "

She added: "We have young people that are coming into the service and because of the workforce pressures they are leaving for other jobs.

"Nipsa’s concerns is that children’s lives will be put at risk and that is the real fear and lived experience of our members."

Clare Joudeh says social workers are not able to keep children safe with current staffing levels

Claire Joudeh has been a social worker for 35 years and says she has never seen the system as broken as it is at the moment.

"There’s an ever increasing number of children coming into the care system.

"We have unprecedented numbers of looked after children, alongside a decrease in the workforce, alongside a decrease in resources and services so we need to highlight that this is no longer safe."

The Health Minister said he recognised "the sustained pressures that social workers are facing".

He added: "I have warned that the budgetary position for health would impact heavily on key areas, including training.

"This is the first confirmation of that highly regrettable reality."

The strike action is due to last until 10 May.