9 in 10 social workers fear domestic violence will go up this winter
8 in 10 fear more families could be split up, as a consequence of the cost of living crisis
Social workers up and down the country are warning that domestic violence incidents will rise this winter, as households feel the brunt of energy bills going up.
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) have warned of a “catastrophic” impact, with more children coming into care and increased domestic violence, crime, social unrest and deaths, social workers warn.
It follows a survey of 242 social workers, where 9 in 10 agree that domestic violence will increase and more than half of those surveyed (55%) worry that caseloads will become unmanageable.
The survey also revealed that 95% agree with the statement that vulnerable people may die this winter due to the cost of living crisis.
BASW chief executive Ruth Allen said:
“Social workers are among the best placed professionals to comment on the cost-of-living crisis. What they have told us is shocking and an important insight into the impact on real lives."
Financial pressures to "increase tensions in the home"
There's also fears that more children could be taken into care, as a knock on effect of the cost of living crisis.
In the same survey, the British Association of Social Workers, 8 in 10 said they shared fears that more families could be split up.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, 'Duc' who's been a social worker for 20 years in Dorset, explained how financial pressures could exacerbate issues in the home:
"Finances is a big subject in family discussions and sometimes disagreements.
"The cost of living crisis and the lack of money would mean that people will probably stay at home at lot more. That will increase those tensions in the home, as well as the reality of not being able to afford to keep themselves warm and cook their meals.
"Some people are already in debt and the increase in the costs of living is going to further compound mental health disorders.
"Domestic violence can also occur through situations of addition. I think it could fuel those types of behaviours and addictions that end up in families being split up.
Energy price freeze "not enough"
Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a freeze on energy bills of £2,500 a month - a deduction of around £1,000 from the energy price cap expected from October.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Duc tells us that's not enough to prevent the worse:
"That is already greater that what a lot of low income families, those that we are supporting, can actually afford.
"That's probably going to be double the amount that they would normally be paying, when they are already struggling.
"I don't think that is good enough, and I believe it will have a major impact on their ability to survive."
In the survey, more than half of social workers who responded, also agree that caseloads will become unmanageable as millions are set to be pushed into poverty this winter.
Duc has worked across Dorset and says the issue will drastically impact an already under-funded service:
"This cost of living crisis is going to affect the people who are providing the care, and the people who are caring.
"It will further entrench some of the difficulties and challenges that we are seeing in the sector."
In fact, the same survey has highlighted struggles faced by social workers themselves, with 43% fearing that they too will struggle to pay their own bills and 20% saying that they expect to use a food bank themselves soon.
BASW chief executive Ruth Allen, who has written to Prime Minister Liz Truss highlighting the urgency of the situation, said:
“To hear of social workers being forced to use food banks shows how deeply poverty and governmental neglect has penetrated.”
“This winter thousands of children and adults will be cold in their own homes and that simply is not acceptable in 2022. The time for talking is over. We need action from government.”