NIPSA moving to CAP Caseloads to Protect Social Work Members

The purpose of this article is to provide Social Work members with an update on the current industrial action situation in Children’s Social Work services, which is driven by chronic staffing shortages and unsafe workloads.

Despite months of discussion with key representatives from the Department of Health and the five HSCT’s and subsequent assurances that an offer was imminent. Negotiators reported that there has been no contact with NIPSA, from the Department since 4 October 2024.

Branch Officers from the five HSC Trusts, therefore met this week to review the current situation. It was unanimously agreed that a significant escalation of current action was now unavoidable due to the employer’s inaction.

The action agreed will take the form of calling a halt on employers exploitation of our members good will and professionalism. NIPSA will move to implement a ‘cap’ or ‘ceiling’ on the number of cases assigned to Social Workers in all Looked After Children (LAC) and Family Support/Family Intervention Services across Northern Ireland.

Action being developed, in addition to this will include limits on Social Workers supervising contact, limits on Social Workers covering Duty and an extension of current industrial action on private law to include Article 56 work.

Given the complications around these issues, and to ensure consistency in this escalation regionally, it was agreed Branches will meet with their members working in these areas, to address any queries this escalation may entail. These meetings will focus on:

  • Operational issues linked to the implementation of the caseload cap to each area.
  • Clearly defining what constitutes a case in each service area.

Your Branch Officers, along with regional negotiators, will attend the meetings across each HSC Trust. To answer queries and help ensure the platform agreed has maximum effectiveness.

NIPSA acknowledge that this step marks a significant escalation of our action. The Department’s wilful neglect of their responsibilities in this area, despite the crisis unfolding, means NIPSA must act.

NIPSA remains steadfast in our duty to protect the health and safety of our members and ensure that the social work services they provide to support families and protect children are safe and effective.

Further updates will follow as the escalation process progresses.

Kevin Kelly
Assistant Secretary