The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) unequivocally condemns the violence and racism that we are witnessing on the streets of Northern Ireland. There is no place for hatred, intimidation or disorder in our communities – and there never will be.
We stand in full solidarity with all members of the social work and social care workforce many of whom are from minority backgrounds or from overseas, and who feel frightened or unsafe as a result of what is happening. You have every right to feel safe. You have every right to work without fear. And you are valued, respected and supported by the Social Care Council and the wider health and social care family.
Recognising our workforce
Across Northern Ireland, social workers and social care practitioners are continuing to show up for the people who need them most in our community – delivering essential services under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. We want every one of those practitioners to know we recognise what they do and we are deeply grateful.
We reiterate, this diversity is not incidental to the strength of our workforce – it is central to it.
Guidance for employers
Earlier this year, the Department of Health published Guidance for Social Care Employers: Responding to Racism and Promoting Inclusion. This guidance provides practical tools to help employers prevent and respond to racism, support affected staff, and build genuinely inclusive workplaces. The Social Care Council would encourage employers across the sector to engage with this guidance.
Practical steps employers should take include completing specific risk assessments for staff carrying out home visits or lone working, ensuring staff know how to report concerns and who to contact, considering flexible travel arrangements or transport support for staff who are concerned about their safety, and checking in with every member of staff who may be affected.
If any social worker or social care practitioner is feeling anxious or unsafe, please speak to your employer and seek support. You are not alone.
Our standards are clear
As the regulator of the social work and social care workforce, the Social Care Council sets standards for employers and practitioners alike. They require all practitioners and employers to uphold the values of dignity, equality and respect in everything they do. These are not aspirational statements – they are binding professional obligations.
Further resources
For those who want to explore these issues further, we encourage social care practitioners, social workers and employers to listen to our ‘Care to chat’ podcast episode, Calling it Out — Diversity and Racism in the Social Care and Social Work Workforce, which addresses why a diverse workforce is a strength and how employers can better protect those within it. It can be found by searching ‘Care to chat’ in any podcast app or at: niscc.info/care-to-chat-podcast.
Ends.
Notes to Editor
- The Social Care Council is the regulator for all social workers and social care practitioners in Northern Ireland. It is a public body established by the Department of Health to support high quality standards of social work and social care.
- For any media queries please contact: rita.mccullagh@niscc.hscni.net / 07591 447804.