Is Aspect arguing it is just down to individuals to challenge excessive workloads or unsafe practice?
No, we’re not. It would be quite wrong to argue that. However individual social workers do have contractual and ethical responsibilities to and duties to speak out, however difficult the work environment may be. This is not only for self protection, to make sure their concerns are recorded, but at least as importantly it is for the sake of those at risk from poor practice or inadequate resources. The handbook argues that those who wish to speak up for others must also speak up for themselves. Complying with the Code of Practice and with one’s duty of care is both implicit, and often explicit, within a social worker’s contract of employment. What if? suggests it is about time both the Code and the duty of care were explicitly used by social workers to raise concerns rather than just being used to hammer social workers. We also believe it is important that we take an approach that better team leaders and managers can also support and use themselves. As a minimum the approach we suggest c
