It’s struck me for some time that its significance in social work practice has progressively declined considerably over the years since I entered the profession in 1973. Logically, this is odd given how obvious it is when working on the “front line” that poverty and deprivation are relevant factors across almost the whole spectrum of problems embraced by our profession. Today’s SW’s should not need the welter of research evidence about the link between poverty and social problems to justify and so encourage them the take the issue into account in their work. As some respondents commented, a full and proper assessment cannot ignore the role played by poverty where it is present. Of course there will be instances where it is not a factor, but that should also be acknowledged for consistency of practice, to demonstrate this essential matter has been considered.

In my first post as a social worker in Manchester, the financial circumstances of the people we were helping was one of the first issues we were expected to prioritise in assessment. If people were not working their benefits position was carefully checked to make sure they were receiving all eligible benefits, work which included liaison with the benefits agency, and if necessary, support and representation at tribunals. An important part of this poverty alleviation activity also included approaching charities for additional help, which could be financial or material eg home necessities including for example domestic appliances. Easing financial problems, especially for families presenting for all kinds of help ( we were “Generic SW’s” in those days ), was often the key to beginning to restore people’s independence, and so improve lives. After all, put very simply, the purpose of social work is to help people to have better lives. At the time, the City of Manchester invested heavily in establishing an anti-poverty infrastructure consisting of what were known as “Welfare Rights Officers”, who were usually based in social services offices, giving the SW’s ready access to specialist advice and practical assistance to help them to be as effective as possible in tackling poverty. It worked very well, but sadly it has withered away.

So people “rock up” and are provided with gold plated care but there are also charities for “those without access to public funds”? Nowt like folk not thinking through how to articulate prejudice logically it seems. Why would there be charities if people rocking up are lavished with public funds?

I could not agree more. It is also not right that people without the legal right to live in the UK (bar genuine asylum seekers), can have their children educated for free, and can also have access to all other public services.

There needs to be a rule that the child comes with their Parent or Guardian, and they must be able to accommodate and financially support themselves whilst they reside without legal or asylum status in the UK.

Poor Victoria Climbe came to live in the UK with her Great Aunt and boyfriend, who were motivated to ‘care for her’ by gaining access to free social housing and welfare benefits. It was not the fault of her in wanting a better life for their daughter, but it was the fault of the UK Government which allows (and funds) this.

We have people who were born in this country living in tents because they are homeless, and now I have seen asylum seekers in the same situation, as there is no available or affordable housing. It is just sad all around, and it is keeping people in poverty.

Some of the reason Local Authorities (including Public Services and Housing) are struggling so much, is because of the increased migration and pressure on adults & children’s services, however the number of Social Worker’s have not increased to match and meet the demand, we are just expected to ‘deal with it’, whether we like it or not, and and we also won’t be paid for it either in terms of all the hours required to keep the system ticking over.

Why do social services need more funding and why is current funding inadequate? Lack of money as a default moan seems to be constant but is it true? What do social workers want extra funding for? As far as I can see the whinging about lack of money stems from the irritation social workers feel when asked to resubmit their assessments. Trust me, believe me don’t ask any questions and certainly don’t hold me accountable dies not professionalism make.

Moaning that funding is inadequate to in effect sustain inequality just a bit more discreetly sums it up neatly. Well said.