AQW 3165/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 04/03/2020
Answered On Date: 23/03/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the taskforce following British Association of Social Workers NI’s Insult and Injury Report.

Answer:

The publication of a research report carried out by BASW (NI), ‘Insult and Injury: Exploring the impacts of intimidation, threats and violence against social workers’ highlighted the issue of threats, violence and intimidation towards HSC social work and social care staff.

My Department established a taskforce to develop a professional governance framework setting out good practice examples of employer support for social work and social care staff affected by work related violence. The draft framework aims to bring together existing good practice in this area in order that staff feel supported, safe, and know what support and assistance they can expect from employers.

This work is almost complete but it has been delayed due to other Departmental priorities.