Social workers should stand united following Social Work Week and pledge their support for the profession.

The #Respect4SocialWork campaign urges professionals to back calls for greater appreciation and respect of the complex and life changing work that social workers do on a daily basis.

We have seen a surge in social workers and their colleagues signing up for the campaign aims in recent weeks. However, we need support and numbers to achieve change.

It was refreshing to hear education secretary Nadhim Zahawi tell parliament recently: “When I was children and families Minister, I was the champion of social workers, and I will continue to be the champion of social workers as Secretary of State.”

“Those already serving our country’s most vulnerable children deserve our thanks, and I want to be extremely clear that no safeguarding professional should be the victim of abuse. The targeting of individuals is wrong and helps nobody, but that does not mean we should not seek to understand what went wrong and how we can stop it happening again,” he added in response to a debate about the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes .

But how often do we hear government ministers talk about social workers?

The social work profession needs empowering.

• Social workers work hard to protect vulnerable children and adults yet often their good work goes under the radar and they only come into the spotlight when there are rare failings.
  
• Social workers are working within tight budgets following years of under-resourcing.
  
• The social work profession is often unseen, unrecognised, unappreciated and under-resourced.

To support the campaign:

• Join the Pledge - Sign up to give your backing to the campaign.
  
• Find your local MP on our campaign page, email them telling them you support #Respect4SocialWork and so should they.
  
• Tell your colleagues to sign up.

If you have any questions, please contact clare@willispalmer.com