BASW and SWU publish new guidelines for media reporting of social work

Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 17 October, 2022

New guidelines on the media reporting of social work and social workers have been launched.

The advice, issued by the Social Workers Union (SWU) and developed in consultation with press regulator IMPRESS and BASW, enshrines a social worker's right to protection from unbalanced or potentially harmful reporting.

Journalists are also warned not to expect social workers to speak on behalf of their organisations or breach confidentiality.

The guidelines were developed after stories emerged of the impact on individuals caught up in negative coverage.

In one case, a social worker needed police protection after being named in the media. Local Facebook groups found out where he lived and made repeated threats to the social worker and his pregnant wife.

Another was harassed outside her workplace by a group with a megaphone and was followed home after leaving the office. Both social workers have now left the sector.

The guidelines flag up the common misconception that social workers are ‘checking up on children’ pointing out that the role is varied and operates under anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice with lengthy training, ongoing CPD, and within professional standards.

‘The profession aims to improve people’s lives and protect the individual and wider society from harm,” the guidelines state. “Social workers are catalysts for positive change and, due to the nature of their roles, are often in high-risk situations.”

The guidelines warn that press reports often fail to consider the challenging working conditions experienced by the profession, and that problems are systemic rather than centred on individual workers - unless a court has found an individual to be specifically at fault.

John McGowan, general secretary of SWU: “Social work intervention can greatly improve the quality of life and opportunities for the children, families, adults and communities we support 24/7. However, it is fair to say that unless the pressures social workers are under are addressed, we will not be able to reach the very people who need our service and support. To then attribute any blame for this onto individual social workers is wrong and unethical.”

Carol Reid, SWU National Organiser, added: “Social workers are on the frontline of helping the most vulnerable in society. It is correct and accepted that these professionals – like their colleagues – are open to public scrutiny.

“However, unlike colleagues in general nursing, police and social care, social workers tend not to receive balanced coverage in the media; indeed, it is often the case that social workers only make headlines when things have gone wrong.”

Journalists are encouraged to adhere to five principles when reporting on social work and social workers:

• Maintain accuracy and take care to report on cases involving vulnerable groups
• Ensure no social workers are individually named or identifiable as working on a particular case (unless authorised to do so by court proceedings).
• Ensure the right to privacy of social workers / mental health workers.
• Recognise social workers are not spokespeople or able to breach confidentiality
• Avoid portraying law-breaking as acceptable, excusable or the perpetrators of law-breaking as victims.

Dr Ruth Allen, Chief Executive Officer of the British Association of Social Workers, said:

“BASW helped to develop and wholeheartedly supports these standards for better media reporting of social work. They are a very important step in improving media coverage of this vital, challenging work.

“Social workers and people receiving services should have confidence that media output of all types will be accurate, fair and won’t put people at risk.”

SWU and BASW are engaging with the National Union of Journalists, The Broadcasting,  Entertainment,  Communications and Theatre Union, the Society of Editors and The Independent Press Standards Organisation to implement the guidelines.

The guidelines were produced in consultation with social workers, professional bodies and individuals with experience of having been helped by social workers, to supplement professional codes of conduct and support the highest standards of reporting in broadcast, print and online media. The guidelines are supported by organisations including BASW Cymru, the British Association of Social Workers, the Cooperative Guild of Social and Community Workers, the Scottish Association of Social Workers and the Social Workers Union.