Regional Secretary visits striking mental health social workers

London Regional Secretary Jo Galloway visited the striking Barnet mental health social workers on their twelfth day of action.

Mental health social workers employed by Barnet Council, have taken over twelve days of strike action in a row over staffing levels and a market supplement payment.

The service, staff say, is facing chronic staffing issues, with the waiting list to be seen now up to 15 months.

UNISON is asking for a recruitment and retention payment, similar to what the council currently does for its children’s social workers, to help retain experienced staff.

At the moment, children’s social workers in Barnet Council are currently paid between 15% and 25% more than adult’s social workers. A lead practitioner with extensive social work experience and line responsibility in an adult mental health team is paid only £1,000 more than a newly qualified social worker in a children and family team. There is no difference in the qualifications required to be a children’s social worker or an adult’s social worker.

Mental health social workers have expressed their frustration with heavy workloads, inadequate staffing levels, and insufficient resources, which they say have significantly impacted their ability to provide quality care to vulnerable individuals in the community.

UNISON London regional secretary Jo Galloway said: “Mental health social workers play a vital role, working with some of the most vulnerable people in the community and their pay should reflect that level of responsibility.

“We urge Barnet Council to work with us and find a solution to prevent more social workers leaving the profession.”