Far more effective than a strike would be a ‘work to rule’ ie working only the hours you are paid for and taking your full lunch entitlement. Social Workers leaving at the office at 5pm?! it would be hard to do because generally we are caring, conscientious people – but enough of being taken for a ride.

Lisa are you serious, Social Workers are always the individuals that are thrown under the bus when something goes wrong. Why is the responsibility of any abuse that of a professional and not the individual who perpetrated it. No worker intentionally abuses the vulnerable rather try their best to change the situation for them. This task however is made increasingly difficult due to misguided views like yours. You can not have it both ways, would you rather abuse of the vulnerable is left as it is and ignored or do you wish individuals (Social Workers) to try and change the situation. Remembering that Social Workers do not have the power to force people to change who do not want to.

Mine has not increased. Please advise about ‘better options’ – curious to hear. + we’re and have been for a few years understaffed resulting in hundreds of unallocated cases. Also +- newly appointed staff is on more pay than me after years working in a council. Changing jobs ? More like changing career.

What, “moving back to social work”… I am offended by this comment. May i suggest you read the job spec and role requirements for a Social worker in Cafcass before making a comment thats not helpful when the vast majority of social workers are working collaboratively to ensure vulnerable children and adults are kept safe.

I think you misunderstood? CAfcass may be the single biggest employer of children’s SWs (not sure it is bigger than some of the largest LAs) but ithe number it employs is dwarfed by the total number of SW’s working in all the LAs
There are lots of vancancies in statutory LA social work so they could get a pay increase by moving back into social work!