In 2025, as society grapples with evolving challenges—from the lingering effects of the pandemic to the rising cost of living and an aging population—social workers continue to play a vital, yet often underappreciated, role. Social Work Week 2025 seeks to change this perception, highlighting the significance of the profession and the critical contributions social workers make in mental health support, child protection, and community well-being.
The Ongoing Crisis and the Growing Need for Social Work
Five years after the onset of a global pandemic, communities are still dealing with its aftershocks. Economic difficulties, social isolation, and increasing mental health concerns have intensified, making the work of social workers more crucial than ever. Simultaneously, the demand for child and family social workers continues to rise, but the profession struggles with shortages, making it even more difficult to meet the needs of vulnerable populations.
Research conducted by Social Work England highlights a concerning trend: only one in ten social workers believe their role is well-respected in society. This lack of recognition has far-reaching consequences, affecting both morale within the profession and public trust. In response, the Change the Script campaign aims to reshape public perceptions and emphasize the professionalism, qualifications, and regulation that govern social work. Social workers, like doctors and nurses, undergo rigorous training and are required to register with Social Work England to practice legally.
Taking place from March 17-21, 2025, Social Work Week provides a platform to celebrate the profession’s impact and promote awareness of its diverse roles. The event brings together social workers and the communities they serve, fostering discussions on best practices, challenges, and opportunities for professional growth.
Sarah Blackmore, Executive Director of Professional Practice and External Engagement at Social Work England, underscores the profession’s significance: “Social workers help individuals become the best version of themselves. They work with people to identify their goals and advocate for the necessary services and support to achieve them.”
From addressing mental health crises to tackling child exploitation and abuse, social workers operate in some of society’s most sensitive and complex areas. Despite this, media portrayals often focus on child protection cases, neglecting the breadth and depth of the profession’s responsibilities.
The Many Faces of Social Work
Contrary to common perceptions, social work is not confined to child protection. It spans multiple domains, including mental health services, support for asylum seekers, disability advocacy, and financial assistance programs.
Mallory Walton, an advanced social worker with West Sussex County Council, specializes in working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Many of these children arrive in the UK after fleeing war, violence, or persecution. Some are visibly distressed upon arrival, while others suppress their trauma, only to experience emotional breakdowns later.
“These young people have come here to seek shelter and safety,” Walton explains. “Their resilience and determination to build a better life are truly remarkable.”
In Oxfordshire, Linda Green leads a specialized team focused on preventing individuals with autism and learning disabilities from being unnecessarily admitted to psychiatric wards under the Mental Health Act. For those on the Dynamic Support Register, timely intervention is essential, especially when crises involve trauma, domestic violence, or suicide risk.
“Our role is about building meaningful relationships and ensuring that people receive the support they are entitled to,” Green states. “Social workers are at the heart of making things happen.”
Another perspective comes from Level Chingalembe, who transitioned from accounting to social work. Now serving as the head of social care finance at Oxfordshire County Council, he works to improve financial assessment processes for adult social care users.
“There’s a better understanding now of the financial struggles people face due to disabilities or illness,” he notes. His team has eliminated assessment waiting lists by introducing a streamlined online system, reducing administrative burdens and empowering service users to complete forms independently.
Innovations in Child and Family Social Work
Child welfare remains a central focus of social work. Nationally, ten local authorities have been piloting the £45 million Families First for Children program, testing new approaches to keeping children safely within their families whenever possible. Key strategies include multidisciplinary early family help services, greater involvement of extended family networks, and a stronger role for education in safeguarding efforts.
Julie Miles, Assistant Director for Children and Families Services at Gloucestershire County Council, echoes these goals. While her authority is not part of the Families First initiative, its principles align closely with local practices.
“We believe that children achieve better life outcomes when they can safely remain with their families,” Miles explains. “Our Turn Around for Children Service supports families through addiction recovery programs, helping parents rebuild their lives so they can continue to care for their children.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Social Work
Despite the challenges, there are reasons for optimism. Ruth Allen, Chief Executive of the British Association of Social Workers, highlights a growing sense of solidarity within the profession and an increasing willingness from service users to share positive experiences.
“It’s not just social workers advocating for themselves anymore,” Allen observes. “People who have received support are coming forward to say, ‘Social work made a difference in my life, and we need to celebrate that.’”
Changing public perceptions, improving working conditions, and ensuring adequate funding for social services remain ongoing challenges. However, initiatives like Social Work Week and Change the Script represent meaningful steps toward recognizing the invaluable contributions of social workers.
As society continues to evolve, the importance of social work cannot be overstated. Whether supporting mental health recovery, safeguarding children, assisting refugees, or advocating for vulnerable populations, social workers remain on the front lines, working tirelessly to create a more just and compassionate world.
