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It is apparent when reading the article, that as a social worker you should expect there to be instances of violence and aggressive behaviour from service users. The lack of support for social workers after they have been verbally or physically abused is completely unacceptable, and more needs to be done regarding support and what happens to the person who has perpetrated the abuse.
It is definite that social workers should receive more training when it comes to facing violent situations, and before they go on the visit it should be noted whether or not the person has previously been violent so the social worker can be prepared.
Regarding the comments made, it is clear that violence in the job can have devastating effects on families and it should not just be brushed under the carpet as being 'part of the job'.
-Paige Irving

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Assessment on entry-
Being aware of all exit points
Always trust your instincts, if you think its the best choice to leave; trust your gut.
Be aware of any animals in the house, and whether or not they are aggressive.
Take note of who is in the house, see if there is anybody who is not usually in there.
Look out for any sharp/ dangerous objects about.
Have an emergency number at the ready at all times.

Red flags-
Sudden change in behaviour/ tone of voice.
Start to become aggressive.
The appearance of people who were not there at the start.

Trigger events-
Receiving bad news.
Having issues in personal relationships either with their significant other or family members.
Have recently lost their job.
Having no control over the situation they are in.
The risk of having their child/ home taken off them.
-Paige Irving

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Drawing on my experience as an alarm operative. During the day my duties of employment was installing alarms in properties, including void properties in most council estates in greater Manchester. One occasion I was called to Cheetham hill about 12 o'clock midnight. The alarm had gone off and as a lone worker I was expected to attend it, and investigate. The whole estate was dark and had a reputation for being a dangerous estate to be alone .I preceded to inspect the rear of the property to check for a breach of property. As I got round the back a young man was climbing out of the window and I was surrounded by around fifteen other youths. I used to smoke at the time and the first thing I thought of was to have a cigarette while I tried to compose myself. I managed to diffuse the situation by giving away any power they thought I had. the words I used was I am not here to arrest you I am just doing my job then going home. luckily this worked in this situation because it could have been a serious incident. my experience and lesson I think I learnt that day was that some people want to challenge power, if you remain calm and appear negotiable with respect then you have more chance of a positive response.

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Working with the most vulnerable people in society is always going to be a difficult yet sensitive task. This doesn't mean to say a social workers role is for people to vent there anger and frustration on. A social worker is aided by protection guidelines and health and safety at work like anyone else.
It is vital a social worker uses these guidelines as they are the main benefactors. Society can be a place of the unknown and none of us really knows what is going on around the corner let alone behind the walls of a family home. society and mostly vulnerable families are facing the most difficult circumstances due to austerity cut, even free school meals are now under threat. For some poorer children this could be the loss of their main meal of the day. Vulnerable families often see social workers as authorities working against them,, this isn't right but times are difficult and we are all human and sometimes people are driven to the limit of their tolerance. Communication between colleagues and service users are essential, this can help form a good working partnership with both service user and colleagues. being polite, friendly and informative promotes a good working partnership and safety at work. What sounds like common sense like listening out for disturbances on approach or be vigilant with dogs can actually save a person being injured or worse. this assessment was full of useful tips regarding triggers and red flags but just being mindful of yourself , the company, and the surroundings is the key to being safe. you don't need qualifications to be safe, its a matter of following guidelines and respecting your colleagues, yourself, and society. This also means documentation of any near misses you have had or reporting any incidents back at the office, it is also important you also play your part in helping to keep others safe too.

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I do not doubt that,as in other people facing roles,a degree of hostility and verbal aggression is to be expected(but not condoned) given the nature of the work Social Workers do,and as professionals,we should be prepared for this to happen.
Having said that,any form of abuse is wholly unacceptable, and it is only right and proper that we are given the correct tools to deal with these kind of situations.Conflict management and de escalation training would and should be,an integral part of the post.
Communication skills are key in diffusing potentially aggressive encounters,as is a thorough understanding of the challenges and difficulties people face in their everyday lives, and an ability to see things from their perspective.
Incidents of inappropriate and violent behaviour should always be reported as a matter of course,with line management placing the welfare and safety of their staff as paramount.Any policies that are in place,should be utilised and not just paid lip service to.Staff that feel their concerns will be treated seriously and acted upon,will be more likely to disclose them in future.
Safety should be given due consideration by all parties.Simple steps ,such as recognising warning signs as discussed throughout the powerpoints can make a big impact,as can reading up on case histories and being as aware as you can be of what you may be walking into.
Finally,as others have commented,I would like to think that volatile situations will be the exception and not the rule,however it is difficult to predict how people may react,especially when they feel aggrieved or distressed.

Katie Thorpe

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I have mixed feelings after reading this article. The stats relating to the increase and severity of abuse that SW are experiencing astounds me, and is the exact opposite to what I understood to be true.  I cannot help but believe that this increase is directly linked to the current pressures on society and the social work profession, as a result of the never ending austerity measures being inflicted upon us. To compare, a parent having to come to terms with a child being potentially removed from their care must be a harrowing experience, and likewise a SW trying their best to manage an unattainable caseload whilst attempting to carry out their duties professionally, must be difficult to say the least.  Therefore, it is easy to see why instances like these can occur. The most extreme cases of violence I would hope relate to a very small percentage.

The lack of national and local policies and procedures to manage such instances has been highlighted throughout the article, along with low quality training for staff.  If priority was given to investment in these areas, surly there would be a decrease in such cases.  Hopefully you would see a reduction in staff turnover and sickness absence which would in the long term make savings which could be reinvested back in to training and better, more robust systems.

In addition, I personally feel that each individual has a responsibility for their own safety and should make it clear if they feel they may be at risk and request additional help if required. Thereafter, employers should take ownership when abuse in reported and put steps in place to deal with it, whether that be criminal proceedings or supporting the member of staff via training or through supervision. Abuse should be taken seriously, and is most definitely not 'part of the job'.

Laura Beckett

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| Assessment on entry
|  Be aware of our exit points Avoid always sitting in the same seat. Be vigilant and be aware of our surroundings at all times Be aware of background noises  Avoid the kitchen Look out for sharp objects or potential weapons Have emergency number on speed dial Trust your instincts if something feels wrong or dangerous do not ignore, change your course of action. If a situation makes you feel totally uncomfortable, leave
| Red Flags
|  Sudden change in character Angry Negative threatening over or undertones Aggressive verbal abuse Threats Blaming others aggressively Aggressive non verbal communication Substance abuse Strange or abnormal behaviour Sudden appearance of unknown person
| Trigger Events
|  Being fired, laid off or suspended Court action ( or the threat of) Foreclosure repossession Personal crisis in a relationship, divorce, dumped, separated Receiving bad news, death illness Rejection Loss of control of a situation

Laura Beckett

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What appears most startling about the article is how violent attacks have been institutionalised within social work, and normalised within the social workers role, thus being ingrained as being a ‘part of the job’. The article highlights worrying statistics which illustrates the level of fear that some social workers feel when carrying out their role, with ninety percent feeling in danger ‘some of the time’, while twenty percent of social workers reported feeling at risk ‘almost all of the time’. Furthermore, the article illustrated how many employers had failed to follow the correct investigatory procedures following violent acts on their staff, and in effect had not taken it seriously enough. This lack of action appears to have been a contributing factor for the thirty-three percent of social service employees who had refrained from reporting such incidents to their employers or police. Evidently, this lack of support would likely have a demotivating effect on staff, with low morale and feelings of being unsupported running high. Rigorous steps need to be enforced both by the police and social services, to ensure that any incidents are taken seriously, and to allow staff to feel safe and supported within their roles. Improved social work training, greater information sharing, and the introduction of a national framework, are all positive measures which could greatly reduce the level of fear and the number of violent incidents in which social workers are exposed too, and to help deconstruct the notion that violence is just 'part of the job'.

Alison Dalkin

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When reading the article I was quite shocked to find that 85% of social workers surveyed had been subject to physical and verbal abuse as I thought that this percentage would be much lower. From reading the article and comments I think that more training should be given to social workers on how to deal with these situations especially because a lot of their time will be spent doing home visits alone. This training could include things such as identifying red flags and learning how to react when an individual may get aggressive towards you e.g. keeping calm and not turning your back. I think that it is important to remember that on most occasions you will not be greeted with violence however, for your own safety it is important to ensure that you are always on guard and aware of exits.

Demi Cross

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Red flags: sudden change of behaviour e.g. tone of voice, becoming aggressive, new people in the room, if they have consumed any drugs or alcohol, looking in bag or picking up any sharp objects

Triggers: sudden change of circumstances e.g. divorce, death in the family or losing their job. Benefit sanctions, something such as the individual not agreeing with the social worker

Assessment on entry: red flag awareness, unknown people in the house, trust your instincts, identify exit points, do not sit in the same place on each visit

Demi Cross

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Assessment On Entry

-Presence of hazards such as sharp objects
-Unknown people within the home
-Check to see if any dogs are present
-Identify where the exit point is
-Pay attention and trust your instincts

Red Flags

-Unfamiliar people calling to the house
-Service user looking agitated / raising voice / looking or acting angry
-Changes in Behaviour, tone of voice, or body language.
-Alcohol consumption or potential drug taking

Triggers

-Death of a loved one
-New baby
-Domestic Violence
-Separation/divorce
-Illness
-Subject of bullying/ being threatened
-Losing job
-Benefit sanctions
- Debt

Alison Dalkin

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After reading the article it is quite astonishing to see that majority of social workers have faced all sorts of abuse despite having a respectable status. The fact that action is not taken in many cases suggests that every social worker must try their best to ensure their own personal safety. Not all social workers may face this abuse, however, it is also not right to make another colleagues situation seem demeaning. Whilst working with people from all walks of life it is not inevitable that by giving respect you shall get respect, so social workers must be prepared for the worst.

Marria Sharif

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Assessment on entry:
what objects are lying around, any potential weapons or anything sharp, any loud noises (shouting/screaming). Look for exit points.

Red flags:
aggressive behaviour, swearing, threats

Triggers:
death of a close person, losing job, history of abuse and neglect, separation from wife/husband

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Risk assessment on entry:

1.Body language and posture/behaviour of occupant and/or visitors
2.Is the home environment dangerously cluttered or in a state of disrepair-is it hazardous to enter?
3.Drug paraphenalia such as needles/unidentified substances lying around?
4.Presence of any animals or pets such as dogs?
5.Potential or actual weapons?
6.Is there adequate lighting inside property
7.Identify access and exit points
8.CCTV surveillance gives people time to react to your presence

Red Flags

1.An unexpected or hostile reaction to something,you or someone else has said

2.Sudden behaviour change -agitated

3.Under influence of drink or drugs or other medication that can affect mood/behaviour

4.pale face-blood directed to other parts of body during feelings of aggression,clenched fists,head down.

Triggers

1.Relationship breakdown or possibility of it

2.Unemployment

3.Debt

4.Mental ill health i.e anxiety/depression

5.Bereavement

6.Children in care or possibility of removal

7.Substance misuse

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presentation 3 exercises and article comment.

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presentation 3 exercises and article comment.

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Chloe Fleming

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85% of Social workers were assaulted, harassed, or verbally abused in the past 12 months.       Cain. 

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85% of Social workers were assaulted, harassed, or verbally abused in the past 12 months.       Cain. 

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Front-line Social Work is a very difficult, demanding job one which requires empowerment of individuals, commitment, yet personal sacrifice. So how can death threats and violence against Social Workers be recognised as just part of the role? I honestly find it horrifying that one in three have been physically assaulted in the last year. Could it be: front-line Social Workers will eventually wear body cameras just like the Police, on their one man patrols and response criteria due to austerity and cut backs? There is a need for a National Framework with a dedicated team to record, monitor, and respond appropriately to protect Social Workers. In a profession where learning and reflection are key to improving practice then ultimately employers need to be held accountable for their failings to protect professionals, share information, for Social Work needs are increasing.

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Thoughts on the Provided Article by Lucy Downward

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Thoughts on the Provided Article by Lucy Downward

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Reading the statistics and knowing that 85% of social workers are attacked and assaulted in the last year is scary and upsetting to read. However, I am mindful that there is a lot of social workers who haven't been assaulted. The comments provided give a debateable insight into these statistics, whether they are false or not isn't the issue. Trying to focus on how to deal with violent situations will help in the long run on the violence towards social workers and in my opinion, that should be the main priority.
Being trained on the calming techniques to calm the service user and their family will help the statistics decrease, however, the statistics aren't the important issue. The safety of social workers are the priority and to be aware that even if you feel that the violence is part of your job as a social worker it doesn't mean that you can't get support from your managers and the police. I believe that the safety of the social worker is crucial because the social workers need to make the decision and if you are scared and intimidated you won't make the best decision that you can give. I 100% agree with the statement in the article "we cannot protect our children effectively if we do not protect our staff".
I also think that we as social workers need to protct ourselves in the sense of protecting our own family, if something happened to us (much like the comment at the bottom of page) then family life will be affected and in my eyes if I was attacked I would put myself first to protect my family and myself so they would not have to be put through the things that the lady in the comment went through. To do this I think knowing safety proceduers will be helpful and knowing all the training the workplace policy had to offer.

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Lucy Downward Skills Day Exercise

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Charlotte Grimshaw
I believe there is equal responsibility from myself, my employer and the people I work with to act and demonstrate compassion, dignity and respect to eachother.
However there are triggers that cause a person to react in ways that could lead to emotional, physical and or verbal abuse to take place. As a SW we should be able to process this and come to terms that this is a real possibility based on our knowledge of trauma, drugs/alcohol misuse, grieve, attachment etc. Therefore its about how we prepare ourselves and the people around for this risk and this includes the people we support, like the example in the article around training, incident reporting processes, working in pairs, managing expectations, clearly defining roles.

Overall its to be prepared, think logically and act rationally when others can't. Never give up.

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Like any other profession violence against Social workers should be taken seriously and this comes down to the company and they individual policies social workers should feel protected and safe at work.For example walking into hospitals, medical center’s you find a notice on the wall usually saying    ‘abuse and threatening behaviour towards our staff will not be tolerated and you will be reported to the police’.  So it makes me question on why is should be any different towards social worker and why is it not taken seriously they don’t get paid danger money. 

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Like any other profession violence against Social workers should be taken seriously and this comes down to the company and they individual policies social workers should feel protected and safe at work.For example walking into hospitals, medical center’s you find a notice on the wall usually saying    ‘abuse and threatening behaviour towards our staff will not be tolerated and you will be reported to the police’.  So it makes me question on why is should be any different towards social worker and why is it not taken seriously they don’t get paid danger money. 

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Charlotte Grimshaw
Drawing on personal experience I would set my 'lone alert'in the car before I visited anyone, I would show confidence but enter the property at my pace to give me time to assess any changes, for example, more or less people in the property, differences in the property. I would sit where I could see an exit door and always explain how long I plan to visit for.
On arrival to a persons home I generally get a sense of situation whether there is tension, anxiety but generally I'm up-front and ask how a person feels about my visit, if I feel safe too. On some occasions I have briefed the person about the content of my visit beforehand, so they are a little prepared but there are times when this isn't possible and I know they will not like what I am going to say. I have been advised where appropriate to explain I am only sharing this information, not enforcing it. This sometimes relieves the pressure and lessens the emotions that comes with bad news.

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Jane King

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Surprisingly I read the article on violence social worker's have experienced throughout their profession and somewhat in disbelief of some of the attacks I read about. 85% of Social workers have been assaulted, harassed or verbally abused in the past year and a consensus around "it's seen as part of the job" has been built. It is important to always remember to keep yourself safe and report harm/likely causes of harm to prevent others from being in danger too. Always enquire your employers anti-violence policy and if in doubt always ask! We as social workers are here to implement change and bring about improvements and help with vulnerable individual's lives and do not deserved to be treated with such abuse. It is always however vital to remember to treat others with respect in order to be treated with respect.

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Assessment on entry
Check local environment
surroundings
Animals Easy
escape routes

Red Flags
|Raised voices
Body language
Blaming with aggression
Locking doors

| Trigger Events
Rejection Loss of control
Removal of family
Drug alcohol consumption
Job loss

Cherry Harrison

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00377182 Power point Presentation 3 Exercises

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Power point Presentation 3 Exercises
Assessment on entry

Who is present?
Are there signs of anybody else being present in the house?
Where are the nearest exit points?
How do I feel upon entry to the property?
Look out for sharp objects or potential weapons

Red Flags

Sharp objects or potential weapons
•Sudden change of character
•Angry talk
•Negative threatening over or undertones
•Aggressive verbal abuse
•Threats
•Blaming others aggressively
•Aggressive non-verbal communication
•Substance abuse
•Strange or abnormal behaviour
•Sudden appearance of unknown persons

Trigger Events

•Being fired, laid off or suspended
•Court action ( or the threat of)
•Foreclosure repossession
•Personal crisis in a relationship, divorce, dumped, separated
•Receiving bad news, death illness
•Rejection
•Loss of control of a situation

Amber Tindall

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The article on social work and how practitioners are being verbally and physically abused is really concerning. However the reality of having a job role that people will perceive as helping others. Will not be the perception of a person who will need a social worker in their life. Most social workers are aware that their presence in people’s lives are not wanted, and because of that there will be some cases where there will be a hostile response. Therefore an automatic phrase “it comes with the job” has been attached to social work. Nurses and Doctors have a no tolerance to verbal or physical abuse, and I think that social workers should have the same policy. However the highlighting issue of reporting individuals with mental health issues or learning difficulties, is how that policy will really protect social workers in practice. Especially with individuals who are really ill or don’t recognise or understand their actions (only in some cases). Would sentencing a person with learning difficulties be beneficial to that service user? There are many articles and journals that have been published around this issue. The relation to convictions over abuse in some areas is quite interesting and have a split divide. Is physical or verbal abuse acceptable absolutely not, and all social workers should be able to work in environments that are safe from harm. However there are some dangerous factors that come with dealing with people’s lives, families, and freedom and any social work student or practitioner should be aware of this before taking on the role.

Victoria Craig

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"We cannot protect our children effectively if we do not protect the staff we charge to work with them.”

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"We cannot protect our children effectively if we do not protect the staff we charge to work with them.”

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When you enter a hospital, doctor's surgery or police station, you may be met with a familiar sign "Violence or abuse towards staff will not be tolerated. Respect our staff. Say No to abuse." But where is the sign to remind those in their own homes to not attack the social workers? Of course, there isn't one.

The most vulnerable service users that we work with may find themselves in the most desperate of circumstances, and it is due to this fact that they could be forgiven for being emotive, outraged and/or out of control. To an extent, social servants should expect this to happen from time to time. It does not mean it should be tolerated.

I can empathise why social workers and other professionals choose not to report incidents, but it starts with us. We must say no to abuse. Zero tolerance is the only way forward. Being aware of all the risks and not putting ourselves in unnecessary risky situations, having an effective anti-violence policy and ensuring we seek the right support are just some of the things we can do to better protect ourselves.

And when in doubt, get out.

Emily Foster

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Community Care Article Review - Rosie Jolley

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Community Care Article Review - Rosie Jolley

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Before reading the article I was aware that Social Work was a profession where the employees would experience verbal abuse and to a degree I could understand why. We as Social Workers go into people lives and at times enforce changes and make amendments that can be deemed intrusive and a personal attack on the person's very being. However, the nature of some of the encounters outlined within the article is sad that assault, damage to a vehicle and threats with weapons are seen as being 'part of the job.' These are similar encounters that the police would witness but they never drive to a persons home in their own personal car, without a bullet proof vest and without significant training, so why are social workers expected to? We need to be mindful that yes there are incidents similar to the ones mentioned in the article that a generate fear and anxiety but not everyone we work with within the industry poses these risks and threats.

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85% of social workers being physically abused is a very high and shocking number, and it's sad that this issue is seen as part of the job. I'm surprised that one in five social workers feel unsafe almost all the time at work. This article has given me insight on the issues and challenges that we may face as social workers, and makes me think about important things that I did not think about before.

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I am surprised at the percentage of social worker's that have been assualted, harassed or verbally abused in the past year when the article had been published. There appears to be a very low number of those that are then subsequently investigated.  Some of the scenarios detailed within the article are very severe.

The results are from an online survey conducted by Community Care.  I acknowledge therefore that these results are complied from those who chose to respond and the levels of abuse may not be indicative of all fields of social work. However, it does detail an alarming number of incidents which have not been treated seriously or that have been dealt with appropriately. This is unacceptable in any field of social work.

I am surprised that incidents are tolerated within the profession and regarded as "part of the job". It is not tolerated in other professions and so I question why it is in our profession.  There evidently needs to be a significant shift in how incidents are dealt with internally, and I would agree that there should be a formalised way of reporting incidents of violence.  Investment in to awareness of the issue, appropriate incident management processes, recording and protection of social workers (through training and effective supervision) is paramount if we are to retain colleagues within the profession.

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60 second exercises - JWB

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After reading the article I'm not really surprised that the numbers are so high. The more surprising thing to me is that Social Workers feel that they do not receive the support so choose not to report incidents when they happen and when they do the incidents are treated as part of the job. If this is a profession which we are supposed to learn and reflect on things someone somewhere is doing a big injustice as the people carrying out the front line work are not being supported adequately, treated with respect or valued by there employers . .

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After reading the article and acknowledging the statistics around the number of individuals who said they had been physically abused or harrrassed in 2014 were higher than I would have guessed. I suppose when in the daily routine and conducting the role without any incidents it can be difficult to sustain vigilance as it is recognised that working thin social work practise anything can happen, trying to constantly assess risk and predict the outcomes is a linear way of thinking. As professionals we can only try our best to minimise the risk by implementing policies and legislation. This can be implemented through education and training around risk and the informing of scenarios that have happened in practice . Tighter internal recording and documenting of incidents. Also a massive one that I have experienced minimise the risk is multi-agency working and all professionals working and engaging with that family can share the information to support the risk assessment when on home visits.

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Reading the article has brought to light many issues surrounding the safety of social workers within practice that i have been ignorant to previously and increased my awareness of types and levels of violence social workers can encounter. As social workers we have legislation and policies that outline our duties and ensures we practice in an anti discriminatory way, respecting the rights of others, however it is sometimes it is forgotten that we too are human and have rights. The article outlines the importance of pre visit assessments and information sharing where appropriate and emphasizes the importance of such training around deescalation and red flags. Procedures and guidance currently in place needs to be improved to ensure the safety of social workers entering in to potentially high risk scenarios.

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Assessment on Entry:
- Be aware of exits outside and inside the property and try to be a close as possible
- Unusual smells or sounds
- Is anybody else present?

Red Flag:
- Language / communication (swearing, raised voice etc)
- Body Language (Pacing etc)
- Strangers entering the property
- Increased agression
- Substance abuse
- Blocking Exits

Trigger Events:
- Feeling of a loss of control
- Worry/uncertainty
- Lack of understanding/ misinterpretation
- Stress
- Financial Problems
- Negative perceptions

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Before reading this article I was unaware of situations like these occuring, and I didn't realise how common they were. It is concerning that this abuse is accepted and seen to be 'part of the job'. The high percentage of cases which weren't taken further solidifies the idea that this abuse should be tolerated as part of the job. Although the procedure after such event such as 'counselling' and 'time off work' have a high percentage and will most likely be beneficial for SW, they should not be necessary and more funding/time should be invested in training SW to deal with these situations.

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Assessment on Entry

Identify exit points

Avoid predictable patterns

Be vigilant

Avoid the kitchen

Be aware of any sharp objects and potential weapons

Emergency number on speed dial

Red Flag Awareness

Angry talk

Threatening over and undertones

General threatening behaviour

Substance misuse

Strange or abnormal behaviour

Sudden appearance of unknown people

Trigger Event Alertness

Being fired or laid off work

Court action, or being at risk of

Repossession

Crisis in a relationship

Rejection

Bad news, such as death or illness

Loss of control in a situation

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The article certainly raised my awareness of the level and severity of abuse which social workers have endured and continue to do so. The worrying thing is how it is expected, how one worker referred to the abuse as part of the job yet if this happened in any other role it would be a news worthy story. What we have to remember is the environment is their own personal space where the individual feels most comfortable and where they have the power to regain the control which appears to be happening but to such extremes.
I guess people's perceptions and lack of understanding of the social workers role should also be considered here. We need to see more programs and read more stories of the positive impact a social worker can have on an individual or family's life and understand that children are removed to keep them protected and safe from harm then maybe the abuse wouldn't be tolerated as they would have the respect they so deserve.

What I can take from the article is to carry out the risk assessment pre visits to keep myself safe and to take on board the information given on the safe working skills slides to minimize any potential risk to my safety.

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Having worked in the social care sector for the last three years I am fully aware of the risks involved as I too have been subject to verbal abuse due to behaviors and frustrations with the system. But to hear of a practitioner subject to a stabbing, another held hostage and one having to relocate is making me feel uneasy about the prospect of lone visits. Entering high risk situations requires social workers who are ready and prepared which I propose should start with the relevant training for violent situations being a mandatory requirement pre- registration.

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3 x 60 second tasks. Assessment on Entry, Red Flags and Trigger Events

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3 x 60 second tasks. Assessment on Entry, Red Flags and Trigger Events

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Assessment on Entry:

How safe do I feel?

Who may be at the address?

Where are the exit points?

Is there some background information relevant to safety I need to know ie history of violence

Red Flags

The service user is becoming agitated/upset

Someone else I don't know enters the room

The service user says or does something unexpected and alarming

Trigger Events

Delivering bad or upsetting news

Mentioning something particularly traumatic for the service user ie. history of sexual abuse

Implementing more serious action ie. removal of a child

Emily Foster

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The data reported in the report is shocking. Employers have a duty of care to the employees and must be proactive to ensure safety. But 38% of staff don’t know if there is an anti-violence policy – which is equally shocking. If the employer does not investigate assault, then staff should go through the complaint procedure or grievance process. Failing that, I know, I am not prepared to work for an organisation that has a callous regard for my safety.

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Task - Gemma

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Article: Violence against Social Work Staff.

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Article: Violence against Social Work Staff.

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The article opens with a shocking statistic of a level high level of reported violence against Social Workers. Drawing the reader in more the article highlights that practitioners are not supported and protected by their organizations, either in predicting/preventing possible risk of harm or in the aftermath of a harmful incident. Some reported cases are noted to have not been explored through the criminal justice system to see sanction or consequence for the perpetrator. The high levels of reported lack of care or poor care from organizations will only lead to shock and dis-may many - especially those who are wanting a career in social work.
These, i feel, are extreme cases. One must consider that the data reflects the cases of reported incidents, but how do these cases look comparison the number of successful/not harmful interactions? Is the numeric data skewed in order to invite a wider audience?
Some of the comments raised by Social Workers in response to the report state that their experiences are dis-similar to the harrowing experiences in the article. In saying this I do see that there is a real and high level of concern that Social workers in the field require greater protection and support for the government, local authorities, community partnership agencies and their organizations.

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After reading the Scharaer 2014 article, I was surprised at the figures. 85% is a high percentage and highlights that social work safety should be a priority. Social workers are prepared with their roles and responsibilities they undertake, some risk comes with the profession however it should not be part of the job role to experience the violence they face. Although social workers expect to face difficult situations, they should be able to exercise their individual safety and ensure it is acted upon. It should not be ‘just part of the job’ as it is related in the article, it needs to be treated seriously. When social workers report violence, employers should follow up and take every incident seriously following the correct procedures. It should be a priority to ensure the well-being and safety of each employee in the work place. The comments from the article give a mixed view on social workers experience. Some have experienced minor situations of being shouted at or violence, however some social workers have experienced extremely high-risk situations. Regardless of the severity of each scenario, it needs to be pushed forward to ensure all social workers are safe in the work environment and the correct procedures and support is given to each social worker. This article is from 2014, it would be interesting for another article with recent statistics to see if there has been any improvement.

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Before reading the article I would of said that I was aware of most of the risks posed to social workers especially when visiting people in their own home environments. However the figure of 85% that have either been assaulted, harassed or verbally abused shocked me. The fact that 70% of these reported incidents are not investigated is not acceptable. Policies in the workplace are meant to keep people safe such as anti-violence policies. If these incidents are not investigated how are practitioners able to learn from them. The extent that some social workers have had to go, like moving home surprised me, including those  that have been harmed or threatened with weapons. After reading this article it becomes clear why there is need to conduct a thorough pre-visit risk assessment, safety is paramount. The importance of training social workers to be able to recognize red flags is an essential tool. The advice from experienced social workers is to trust your 'gut instincts 'and end the visit if your have any concerns over your safety. As much as a situation you are going into can be risk assessed there is always that potential of new risks occurring, risks that have not been accounted for.
This article is from 2014, it will be interesting to go away and see if there has been recent research and see if anyone has took the results from the 2014 survey seriously and if there any decreases in the percentages.

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60 Second Task - Neshaun Ferguson

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This article has brought to my attention the violence that a social worker may endure on a daily basis. When looking at the comment that it is 'part of the job' it really makes you wonder how your life can be at risk because of this. Social workers should therefore exercise their rights to be safe within the workplace. 85% is such a high statistic that it should ring alarm bells for measures to be put in place to prevent the violence that social workers are victims of.

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The article highlighted the violence, intimidation some social workers face. It is alarming how the article and following comments highlights the lack of support from local authority employers following incidents as such. In my practice I will ensure that I am aware of risks that are possible and stress to my employers that more training is required in de-escalation techniques in order to try and prevent these incidents from occurring.

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Georgina Allen

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Sophie Royle

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The article definitely increased my awareness of the violence social workers experience and the varying levels of violence they could be subjected to. 85% is an alarmingly high statistic and there were some very serious incidents highlighted in the article that perhaps might not even enter your mind upon entering the social work profession. Such a statistic suggests this is considered to be the norm in this profession, however although one must understand that social work is a difficult and sometimes dangerous job, social workers should still be able to exercise their rights to be safe. It is somewhat disturbing that violence towards social workers is not being taken seriously and that social workers often feel like they cannot take it further. There needs to be a better understanding of the effects it can have on a person and the support they may need in order to continue to practice. The article highlights the importance of pre visit risk assessments, particularly that of knowing if a person has a history of being violent and also the importance of communication between social workers and other agencies who may have been involved with a person previously. There is also an emphasis placed on more training to be done around dealing with violent behaviour. However, the article suggests that no matter how much you prepare, some behaviour can not be predicted.

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Prior to reading the article i knew very little of the occurrence of violence verbal or physical against social workers. I had spent little time thinking logically about the practicalities of working with often vulnerable and/or agitated people within their own homes and the serious risks that this can pose to the social workers safety. Id of course already identified that social workers are often going into highly emotive and sensitive situations and sometimes doing so trying to promote change to those who do not welcome it. With this i understood that one would have to be adaptable and use all of social and person centred approaches and skills in order to reduce the risk of such issues spiralling out of control. What i didn't realise is the likelihood of experiencing physical harm. It seems absurd that if you was to work in these circumstances within a hospital setting that you would be equipped with a radio, alarm and training. Yet going out into the community and into peoples more unpredictable homes that we are equipped with none of these and sometimes with no clear procedures or support either. It appears that social workers should require training on de escalation like they do on other elements of practice such as human development and law. Proper procedures hsould be in place to offer guidance and resolution to such experiences and of course adequate support should be on offer before, during and after to all.

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It is quite concerning how violence against social workers is not treated seriously, and instead viewed as simply being part of their job role. If this was to occur in a different work setting, then it would be deemed consequential. 85% out of 446 social workers is indeed a high percentage of social workers witnessing some form of physical abuse, which is not acceptable. Previous to reading the article, I did hold awareness of how social workers are under high levels of scrutiny, and how service users can be resistant and resilient towards social work involvement. However, I was not aware of how high the potential risk towards social workers actually is. It is concerning how social workers are not provided with the necessary training when dealing with violent individuals, whom pose an element of risk towards them, and how limited available support actually exists for social workers. It is therefore no surprise as to why social workers do not report any incidents of abuse of any form made towards them. Adequate support is needed for social workers, and more respect, and appreciation needs to be given to themselves and their job role.

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Prior to reading this article I was aware that social workers are often placed in unpredictable situations which can leave them in a vulnerable position. However, I was unaware of how volatile and dangerous these may be. Whilst I am empathetic to the heightened emotions of service users within social work practice, this does not mean these behaviours and responses are acceptable. Although social workers are viewed as professionals, there needs to be acknowledgment that firstly they are humans/people too and should be treated as such. Therefore, training should be provided for all social workers on how to de-escalate situations and ensure they remain safe at all times.

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Rahael Schraer 2014

Shahrenaz Tavakolynik

It is shocking to see the number of social workers being harassed and verbally abused within their working industry. The situation from day to day visits can bring out a wide range of emotions from ager to enjoyment, however it is significant to know how to face these emotions and outcomes. Social workers are called upon to perform many complex tasks that involve different human interactions as part of the job they deal with vulnerable people who might be a little confused about our role as a social worker and the respect that we need from the service user which at times may lead in to different types of violence.

Nonetheless this does not mean social workers deserve to be treated in this manner under any circumstances. The fact that there is not enough support for social workers on duty worries me a little, therefore in trying to come to the right decisions about how to respond in any given situation social workers struggle not only with their own personal feelings and the limitation of their skills and knowledge but also struggle with overabundance of competing societal values, professional and personal values. It is significant to educate us to know the health and safety rules and also be aware of red flags to protect ourselves from harming, negative environments.

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Hannah Allen-Moss - 60 Seconds exercises

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Hannah Allen-Moss - 60 Seconds exercises

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Assessment on Entry:

·         Be aware of exit points

·         Change where you are sitting, or move around etc.

·         Hold awareness of what is going on around you at all times, including possible noises from elsewhere in the house.

·         Avoid key rooms such as the kitchen, is possible.

·         Trust your instincts, and if you spot potential danger, change your course of action, or leave.

·         Have emergency numbers on speed dial.

·         Look out for sharp objects or potential weapons.

Red Flags:
·         Threatening or aggressive behaviour.

·         Sudden change of action.

·         Appearance of unknown and numerous people.

·         The blocking of exits.

·         Agitated behaviour.

·         Mental health issues.

Triggers:
·         Court action or the threat of it.

·         Stress from home or family life.

·         Financial problems

·         Bereavement issues.

·         Substance abuse

·         Loss of control over a situation.

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Assessment on Entry:
-Be aware of your exit should you need to leave quickly
-Looking out for pets, particularly dogs that could be aggressive
-Keeping mobile phones and car keys close by but out of sight
-Look out for any evidence of alcohol consumption
-Identify any potentially dangerous objects
-Choosing where to sit
-Be aware of how many people are present

Red Flags:
-Change in tone
-Heightened levels of aggression
-Being locked inside a room
-Alcohol or other substance abuse
-Verbal abuse
-Pacing the room or other agitated behaviour

Triggers:
-Presence of a social worker and associated stigma
-Start of proceedings
-Substance abuse
-Fears of losing home
-Stress from job or relationships

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Rachel Schraer (2014)

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Assessment on Entry:
- Surroundings and exit points
- Atmosphere in the home/Mood of the service user
- Look out for any dangerous/hazardous objects, as well as animals within the home
- Consider the number of people in the home

Red Flags:
-Threatening behaviour
- Becoming angry/aggressive/agitated or a sudden change in behaviour
- Sudden movements or change to their position in the room eg blocking exits
- Unfamiliar people or numerous people entering the room

Triggers:
- Relationship problems
- Hearing information they do not expect or want to hear, leading to them feeling out of control
- Financial problems; loss of job, home etc
- Changes to an individuals mental health i.e. struggling with their anxiety or depression
- Bereavement or loss of

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Power point presentation - 3x 60 sec exercises

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Article

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3 x 60 second exercises

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Power point Presentation 3 completed exercise

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Raheal Schraer 2014
It is really shocking seeing the number of social workers being attacked whilst on duty when helping other people to rebuild their lives. The most I found shocking is the fact that there is not enough support to the frontline social workers as one social worker revealed that she was receiving a death threat from a client and the organisation told her it was part of her job. It is quite understandable that everything in life comes with a risk but how we gauge the level of risk is the way to manage such risk.

I felt a bit strange after reading some of the past experiences of social workers. Having said that, it does not discourage me to become a social worker because researching some of the successful stories of people later moving on and leading a positive lives is a thing of joy. Although, the level of risk is significantly high but the achievement and satisfaction of the job is really important.

Reading the article just shed more light on why social worker trainees should take precautions in our daily dealings with the clients as well as looking after ourselves, using our instincts, carry others along, abide with the organisation policies and procedures that we work for.

Also, the article even revealed that some workers sees being abused as part of the job description in which they have signed unto. But come to think of it, if social workers truly have the power and control why should they be abused when they are the social agents fighting to eradicate abuse? The majority of these abusive behaviour is bore down to the media portrayal of social workers and couple with a frustrated life experience that people have gone through. So, this is the point where social workers have to balance the tension.

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PP3 Health and safety in social work during visit 3 x 60sec  exercise

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Power point Presentation 3 Exercises (Skills day 4)

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Social work practice involves working with vulnerable people in the society such as individual with mental and children that are abuse and neglect which make social work complex. The process of intervention will involve home visit which makes good risk assessment important because lone working is inevitable in social work. However, it was evidence in report that many incidents of violence against social workers are not investigated which means this may be due to the fact that there are no mandatory reporting systems. It is important for organisations and agencies to take prevention of violence against social workers seriously because of its negative impact on the agencies and their employees. Also, social workers need to work collaboratively to protect each other from violence and they should invest in quality personal alarm. All measure to minimise risk must be adhered to by social work students when on placement and if there is any concern report and record it immediately so that the pattern can be identified in order to create awareness. Although, some social workers have never experience violence but that does not mean that the percentage shown in the article was escalated. Safety is important in social work practice and social workers should trust their instinct if they are not uncomfortable during home visit.

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Jamielee O'Connell

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Assessment on entry
-Exits
-Animals
-Signs of drug/alcohol use
-behaviour when entering the house
-weapons/dangerous objects
-noise inside and outside
-unknown people already at the home address or entering in between the visit
Red Flags
-change in behaviour
-change in tone of voice higher or lower
-aggressive behaviour
-drug/alcohol consumption
-noise increase from in the house or outside
-sudden change in environment i.e un-safe/risk/escalation
Trigger Events
-loss/bereavement
-change in circumstances such as jobs/unemployed/redundancy/sacked
-mental health such as depression
-drugs such as medication/effects from drug misuse
-change in social relationships i.e friends/partners/family
-bad news that would affect the mood of the person

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This article is shocking. I understand the stigma attached to social work and the sometimes volatile situations that they have to be part of, however the fact that such a high number of social workers have been assaulted or attacked in such violent ways is not acceptable. I understand some service users and their families blame the social worker for negative situations in their lives, but when comparing to doctors delivering bad news to patients and families, this seems to be more than just reactions to negative information. Social workers have a bad press due to media frenzy surrounding failures on social services around child protection. The number of negative outcomes for the service user i assume is outweighed heavily by positive outcomes however good stories don't sell as many newspapers. Society needs a scapegoat, someone to hate in these situations and it appears social workers are the ones who become that scapegoat. It shocks me that the managers and social services don't investigate these incidents any further, it is not acceptable that people get away with violence and intimidation just because the victim does this job. The comments left me confused, just because some social workers have never experienced this does not mean that it doesn't happen. Also the comment relating to the social worker who has had numerous injuries inflicted, it saddens me that due to this he now has to pay out for his own rehabilitation, however within society it appears we don't support those who are trying to make our country better, for example, soldiers. I understand that resources are low and there aren't enough social workers but statistics like this are so negative that it will not encourage anyone to come into this career when all society hears is negative. I hope within my career i never experience this time of violence or aggression but realistically i know it may happen, i hope that i have a good line manager and work in a service not focused solely on numbers and 'it being part of the job'.

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| Power point Presentation 3 Exercises
| Assessment on entry
|  Things you would assess on entry into an assessment –
·         Assessing surroundings, entry and exit points
·         Who is in the assessment and surrounding area
·         Mood of the service user
·         Atmosphere in the room
·         Where the assessment is taking place, i.e which room in the home
·         Having a clear exit plan
·         Objects around the service user
·         If they appear under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
·         Knowing who to contact in an emergency and having contact details to hand
| Red Flags
|  Many things can cause us to raise red flags –
·         Sudden change in mood
·         Other unfamiliar family members entering the home
·         Service user appearing under the influence of drugs or alcohol
·         Using threatening language to attempt to get their way
·         Appearing to disengage with the conversation hallway through
·         Using abusive language or swear words
·         Acting strangely
| Trigger Events
|  Many things could trigger a negative reaction or mood in a service user such as –  ·         Job pressure
·         Drug/alcohol use, possibly withdrawal
·         Debt
·         House repairs
·         Personal issues with relationship or family
·         Health problems, physical or mental health
·         Receiving bad news or unwanted result of something
·         Being rejected by someone, being bullied or exploited by someone

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The statistics are quite concerning in terms of the number of instances of violence in relation to Social Workers. I did question whether all Social Workers would own up to instances where they have been subject to violence, even in an anonymous survey. There is then the potential for the figures in the article to, in fact, be less than they actually are. It concerns me more that employers appear not to investigate these further. This means it will happen again and again, with no effort to improve or even monitor what is occurring. With the increasing need for Social Workers, these figures do not reassure potential students of Social Work to enter the field, and also puts the employers in a negative light, as they do not appear to be protecting their employees. The potential for "burn out" is ever present in Social Work, and acts of violence towards those in the role, if they are not supported, will potentially be put on that path. This has wider effects for the employee, his/her family, the employer, the client, etc.
With respect to the comments, I feel there was an insular view taken by one of the individuals, and the implication was made that any Social Worker who is unable to diffuse a situation is lacking in some respects. It is not known what sector the individual works in, but regardless, no Social Worker is going to be faced with the same type of individual, in the same situation, everyday. People are different and respond in different ways. Alternative views were proposed, which was useful in seeing the opposite circumstance, however, only one individual proposed some ideas on how to improve the situation. Whether these would work in practice is another matter, but still a productive entry.

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Assessment on entry
Is there a dog?
Are the obstacles hindering access/exit from the venue?
Is the door locked by a simple Yale lock or is it a complicated lock that requires two hands?
How is the person I am meeting presenting themselves: are they dressed, drunk etc
How is the room presented?
Is it neat and tidy or chaotic?
On a quick exit will I trip over something?
Are the people there I don’t know? Who are they?
Is the seat I am about to sit on clear of sharp objects?

Red Flags
Tone of voice
Body language or changes to body language
Content of the conversation – bad news
A new person enters the room
Challenging behaviour

Trigger Events
I am the 100th social worker to ask these questions – but nothing is ever done. Boredom
Interrogation questioning
Not being believed
Not being listened to
Bad news
Mental ill health

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60 Second Exercise

A – Who is in the house? Service users presentation? Any animals in the house? Where are the possible exits? Safest place for me to sit? Any clear hazards?

R – Aggressive language, sudden change in self, new unknown people arriving, sudden loud noises, strange behaviour.

T – Recent bereavement, any recent relationship/friendship breakdowns, current mental health, current employment status.

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important information for lone working: During home visit if you have feelings that is not safe trust your instinct and leave. sit close to the exit; have your car key and money close to you; do not leave any anything such as case file on the sit in your car; do not park your car in front the house you are visiting; inform your colleague your whereabout; invest in good quality personal alarm for own safety if your organisation doe not use it. everybody is responsible for health and safety.

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important information for lone working: During home visit if you have feelings that is not safe trust your instinct and leave. sit close to the exit; have your car key and money close to you; do not leave any anything such as case file on the sit in your car; do not park your car in front the house you are visiting; inform your colleague your whereabout; invest in good quality personal alarm for own safety if your organisation doe not use it. everybody is responsible for health and safety.

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The statistics on this article are worrying.  This is particularly worrying in a time where resources are stretched and invariably health and safety seems to fall further down the list of priorities.  This seems to be echoed in the article with regards to the response by employers to incidents.  This shows that taking personal responsibility for your safety and colleagues is so important, particularly for newly qualified social workers, or when meeting new individuals.  Personally, I have found being a member of a worker's union useful for guidance and advice.  

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The statistics on this article are worrying.  This is particularly worrying in a time where resources are stretched and invariably health and safety seems to fall further down the list of priorities.  This seems to be echoed in the article with regards to the response by employers to incidents.  This shows that taking personal responsibility for your safety and colleagues is so important, particularly for newly qualified social workers, or when meeting new individuals.  Personally, I have found being a member of a worker's union useful for guidance and advice.  

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I think in any job role there is risk of personal safety.  However I think it is the complex nature of the role of social work, and the fact that we can be so involved with decisions that can have such a profound impact on a person or family that makes the assessment of risk so difficult to forecast and manage.  This is why I think the management of risk is both collective and a personal responsibility.  Employers have a duty to ensure that relevant policies and procedures are in place, but I believe that it is also the duty of every social worker to help each colleague.  This can be through sharing knowledge about potential risks or 'near misses', and ensuring these are recorded for relevant people to see.  This aenables the most up to date information about a person/property is available.  The ability to be able to develop relationships and be honest with the individuals you work with is also extremely useful to helping secure your personal safety.  This will enable you to be able to potentially notice red flags or trigger points more effectively and possibly de-escalate a situation before it worsens.  

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I think in any job role there is risk of personal safety.  However I think it is the complex nature of the role of social work, and the fact that we can be so involved with decisions that can have such a profound impact on a person or family that makes the assessment of risk so difficult to forecast and manage.  This is why I think the management of risk is both collective and a personal responsibility.  Employers have a duty to ensure that relevant policies and procedures are in place, but I believe that it is also the duty of every social worker to help each colleague.  This can be through sharing knowledge about potential risks or 'near misses', and ensuring these are recorded for relevant people to see.  This aenables the most up to date information about a person/property is available.  The ability to be able to develop relationships and be honest with the individuals you work with is also extremely useful to helping secure your personal safety.  This will enable you to be able to potentially notice red flags or trigger points more effectively and possibly de-escalate a situation before it worsens.  

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Through the research I am not shocked by the amount of incidents that happen to social workers that put their safety at risk. Dealing with abuse, violence, harassment etc is an aspect of the role that social workers need to be aware of although accepting this doesn't excuse it. Employers should encourage their employees to report incidents so it can be monitored and investigated as social workers need to be safeguarded as much as service users do to be able to do their job safely and effectively. It is also seems that in some cases information sharing is inadequate and caused people harm due to lack of information. Social workers should always document incidents so as to advise one another although it is also your responsibility to read information when and if available. Perhaps training in de-esculation is a preventative measure although im unsure how realistic this is as in my opinion it cannot be taught it has to be learnt through experiance. abi

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My responses to 60 second task
1. The persons presentation on arrival , Substance misuse , Nearest exits, Seating - think about where to sit - nearest to the exsit , Always aware of your surrorundings, Other people present and or children present
2. The persons presentation may suddenly change, Substances taken whilst you are there that could change a persons character/ behaviour, Strange abnormal behaviour, Other people may arrive
3. Personal crisis - mental health/ family breakdown/ divorce/ employment/ illness/ bereavement

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I did not find it surprising about the violence or abuse towards Social Workers given the nature of the job and the tasks that have to be undertaken. The job requires you to go into a situation and act when when something has gone wrong and you will not always get the best side of people during these situations. That said, I was disappointed to read that most employers had not been supportive in addressing or even working on prevention. How long before the Social Worker needs a Social Worker? If the practice is not offering support and training, where do you get it and when do you get the time to do it? -Frank

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It is rare for social workers to experience physical violence but it is important that steps are taken to ensure personal safety.  This includes taking note of any background information that would alert the worker to potential risk, being aware of the physical environment both inside the service user's home and its surrounding area and practical steps such as keeping your mobile phone within easy reach.  Gut instince also plays a part; if you are uneasy because you sense that something isn't quite right leave as quickly as possible.

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It is rare for social workers to experience physical violence but it is important that steps are taken to ensure personal safety.  This includes taking note of any background information that would alert the worker to potential risk, being aware of the physical environment both inside the service user's home and its surrounding area and practical steps such as keeping your mobile phone within easy reach.  Gut instince also plays a part; if you are uneasy because you sense that something isn't quite right leave as quickly as possible.

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It is clear through this research that violence towards social workers is a problem. It is an ever present danger that can be reduced with risk assessment but never totally vanquished. Many may excuse it as "part of the job" or "one of the skills you need to have" however this would be underplaying quite a serious matter. Management should be looking at a number of ways in which to both reduce it in occurrence and supply the appropriate response if it is to happen. For the latter, I'm thinking about a good deal of no questions asked time off and lengthy counseling sessions; for the former there could be some clear policies and guidelines, I feel that the language of low/medium/high risk is too limiting and even some visits that are deemed low in risk could cause problems. It would be good if lone visits could be reduced but this may have ramifications both on budgets, workloads and the fact that some service users prefer the personal one-to-one approach. James :-)