Ever set foot in a crumbling hospital? Ever tried to use NHS IT? Ever tried to find a clean toilet? Ever tried to speak to the same nurse about a patient more than once? Ever tried to park your car in an NHS car park? Ever been berated by an NHS manager who thinks social workers are a waste of his/her resources. Pay settlement was higher for NHS staff but that’s about it. Stop pitching worker against worker, that’s the game loved by managers as it’s the resentment which keeps us being compliant and complicit in our own exploitation. What are the better NHS staff benefits by the way?

Why is this bad? Do you really think you can negotiate your own personal pay with your employer? Who by the way doesn’t know nor wants to know about you individually.

Well I’m a social worker employed by the NHS. Yes it seems we have better environments and greater autonomy to do our jobs but it’s not all rosy in the NHS either. The zero risk approach is paramount and pressure to discharge relentless. All said though my main reason for staying in the NHS is better pay. Money matters more than some of us like to admit.

My first job in 2020 was with a council, but had an honorary contract with the NHS under sect 75 agreement. I saw clearly the NHS cares more about their staff than councils do.

I moved to another council, my goodness me even worst lasted, 6 months, again rotten culture. I then got my first team leader job. Yay! In the NHS! Loved every moment.

18 months later, I decided to give it a go in Adult Social Care (Older Persons Team). First Senior Manager Post.

I lasted 9 months. I was put on a performance management plan. My opinion as to why? I am black in my 30s, and far from middle class. I know right not the typical middle-age, middle class, white comrades who dominate senior positions.

I am back in the NHS where I belong I will never go back to Council.

Councils are focused on key performance indicators, my former manager told me “We have a business to run”. Wow, I thought I joined the public sector. In Adult Social Care, they are focused on saving money.

Staff wellbeing comes last. I am seriously considering doing my diploma in nursing part-time. The public are happy to see Nurses at their front Door Not a social worker. Social workers don’t get their lunch break, don’t finish on time and constantly burnout. THERE ARE TOO MANY MANAGERS, NOT ENOUGH LEADERS IN SOCIAL WORK THAT IS THE REASON. Too many donkey dinosaur managers blocking up the leadership ladder just to top up their pension pot.

The reason why nothing has changed since the death of Victoria Climbie, White Conservatives – middle-aged, brutal managers bullying their staff to think and do more private sector like. Economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Instead of, being out there making a difference in the community.

I got to senior manager in adult social care. Very rare for a black man. In Local Authorities, they want to operate like the private sector, kpi focused, money saving takes priority, performance management is priority.

I got performance managed out of my first manager job in a council. My service manager felt I got to where I was too quickly. I am in my 30s. The problem with social work is that there are these dinosaur service managers (white, middle class, middle-aged) typical mold plaguing social work with their own selfish ambitions to appease heads of service.

I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE NEWLY QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKERS TO JOIN THE NHS.

As a black man, greater career prospects, opportunity to express and be yourself. More importantly make a difference to the lives of people. I actually look forward to going to work every day in my job in the NHS.

It is the final straw (of many many straws) that makes me want to leave the profession for something far less busy/stressful that pays better.