Employers fail on part-time social work roles

New research by the Social Workers Union (SWU) reports that employers are failing to advertise part-time and flexible working roles to social workers, shutting many practitioners out of the labour force and adversely impacting equality and diversity in the workplace.


The study reveals that out of 6,471 UK social work jobs advertised across the UK in April and May this year, just 1,212 (18.7%) offered part-time or flexible hours. In Scotland 30.4% of vacancies were available for part-time or flexible work, but in Wales it was just 14.6%.


The latest wave of the Department for Education’s longitudinal survey of children’s social workers in local authorities found less than a quarter (23%) of people were on part-time contracts, and that this was more prevalent among women, those with caring responsibilities and older social workers.


Carys Phillips, a social worker, and chair of the SWU, said: “Social work remains a female majority but male-led profession … 


“The opportunity for career development is often stalled with assumptions that part-time equals career abandonment and oftentimes this means career stagnation. This needs to change to ensure part-time opportunities are encouraged and supported”. 


The SWU is calling for more part-time and flexible work opportunities to be created for social workers to improve working conditions, encourage diversity and provide opportunities for those who need part-time work.