Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We recognise that you may be feeling anxious about coronavirus (COVID-19) and want to thank you for your continued work.

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch and told us your concerns. We know this is a difficult time. We understand that students, placement providers and social work educators are worried at the moment about placements and course provision. We will be as flexible as we can in terms of our regulation to ensure that where students need to pause or defer placements, that training providers can make allowances for that.

COVID-19 vaccinations for social workers

We have not yet been notified that social workers will be prioritised in regards to the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine.

We would suggest that social workers discuss this matter with their employers in the first instance, and that they continue to follow government guidance.

We have continued to discuss the role of social workers and their key worker status with our partners throughout the pandemic, and will share further information in regards to this once we have more information.

Who we're working with

We are working closely with the government, the Chief Social Workers, other regulators and employers on the concerns raised by social workers. We will stay close to this. In the meantime please follow government advice, and exercise the common sense and flexibility around visiting and meeting others that is such a marker of our profession. As the regulator, we do not work in isolation. We are urging all parts of the system we work in to address social workers' concerns and help to ensure their safety and wellbeing. 

Workplaces, social work settings and social work courses

In regards to workplaces, social work settings and social work courses, we would advise that you continue to follow national guidance and discuss your concerns with your employer and course provider. 

A significant epidemic will pose complex professional challenges and pressures for social workers. This can be stressful and will be exacerbated by sickness among colleagues, by the absence of those in self-isolation, or for social workers with caring responsibilities.

We recognise that this can take a toll on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of social workers. In addition to the measures taken to limit the spread of the virus, we encourage employers, wherever possible, to support and prioritise mental health and wellbeing in the face of these difficult circumstances.

GOV.UK is the official site for the latest information on the outbreak. The advice is updated regularly by the UK government and we continue to monitor it closely.

In addition, we have published an updated joint statement from chief executives of statutory regulators of health and social care professionals.

We’ll update these page regularly with further guidance as soon as we are able to.