On behalf of NIPSA and our wider membership, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to each and every member who participated in the recent three-day industrial action across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. Your dedication, unity and strength in standing up for Children’s Social Work have sent a powerful and unambiguous message to both the Trust and the Department of Health.
Special thanks must go to the branch officers, picket organisers and headquarters officials who ensured the action was well-coordinated and effective. Your efforts made a critical difference on the ground.
Over the course of the three days, social workers from Gateway, Family Support and Intervention Teams (FSIT), Children in Care, Concurrent Care and Court Teams came together to call for urgent action on unsafe workloads and critical staffing shortages. From the picket lines at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry and Craigavon Area Hospital to Thursday’s focused protest to the Trust Board Meeting, your presence made a powerful impact.
As a result of the protest, a NIPSA delegation was invited to speak directly to the full Board. Along with others, NIPSA’s General Secretary delivered your message with clarity and passion—making it unmistakably clear that the current situation is unsustainable and meaningful change cannot be delayed any longer.
This action follows months of unsuccessful negotiations with the Department and Trusts. While the DOH continues to speak of reform, our members face daily crises without the staffing, support, or resources necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively. Your action has helped push this issue back to the top of the agenda, where it belongs.
Importantly, as with our previous actions within the Belfast, South Eastern and Northern Trusts, this industrial action has already prompted renewed efforts from the Department to re-engage in more meaningful dialogue. This progress belongs to you.
Let us remain united and committed until not just our message is heard - but our demands are met. We are fighting not just for fair workloads but for a safe and sustainable future for our workforce and the vulnerable families we serve.
Finally, thank you to our colleagues from other NIPSA branches, our General Secretary, and our Deputy General Secretaries who stood with us in solidarity over these three days. Your presence and support have been vital.
In solidarity