Data reveals Black staff more likely to be investigated by the regulator for social workers

• Aparna Sreevalsan
• 4 October, 2023

SOCIAL Work England, the governing body for social workers in England has published a preliminary review of diversity statistics for social workers in connection to its criteria for fitness to practise.

It shows higher numbers of social workers of Black, African, Caribbean, and Black British ethnicity represented in the referrals they receive, as well as in cases that reach the hearings stage.

When compared to the percentage of people who have registered as a social worker in England, the initial study identifies more social workers of Black, African, Caribbean, and Black British ethnicity in the regulator’s fitness to practise procedure.

Additionally, they proceed at greater rates from triage to investigation and from case examination to hearings comparing to other progression rates. 

• Percentage of cases of Black / African / Caribbean / Black British worker progressed from triage to investigation, is 50 per cent compared to their white counterpart (34 per cent).
• Percentage of cases of Black / African / Caribbean / Black British worker progressed from case examiner to hearing, is 36 per cent compared to their white counterpart (19 per cent).

It also includes a preliminary interpretation of the information about recommendations for fitness to practise and proceed through the procedure.

The data has been gathered from social workers until 31 March 2023.

Other groups of social workers who are overrepresented include:

• those aged 40 and over
• males

Ninety-four per cent social workers had shared information on at least one aspect of diversity with the regulator.

Colum Conway, chief executive at Social Work England commented: “The report represents a significant first step on a longer journey towards a comprehensive understanding of fairness in our processes and the actions we must take in response.

“We committed to collect diversity data so that we could understand where social workers might be impacted by inequality or discrimination.

“This will help us to make sure our processes are fair and understand how our policies can support this. We must ensure that our processes do not disadvantage people due to their characteristics.”

The data will be utilised by the regulator on determining the effects of inequality or discrimination on social workers and to address the bias in the policies and procedures.

It also aims to help companies, executives, and decision-makers promote change, and to make sure the procedures are fair.