Covid: Social workers 'braced for tsunami of needs' after lockdown
Social workers are braced for a "tsunami of needs" as the UK recovers from the pandemic, a union has warned.
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) expects workloads to increase as restrictions are lifted.
One worker described a "big surge" in referrals after the first lockdown and the fears of missing something wrong.
Officials in all four nations praised the efforts of social workers and highlighted schemes to help vulnerable children set up in the pandemic.
'Cementing over cracks'A survey conducted by the union at the end of last year, seen by the BBC, suggests the majority of members had seen an increase in referrals since schools returned
in the autumn.
Minny Jackson, not her real name, works as a social worker with children in Greater London. "When lockdown started it was quiet for a little bit, but definitely when
the schools came back there was a big surge in referrals coming through.
"In March my case load was 18, now it's 26. Our biggest challenge is that every week we're getting new referrals on duty."
Ms Jackson said that trend was repeated after the short lockdown in England in November and the BASW believes there may be another surge after the current
restrictions across the UK are eased.
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