Social workers are five times more likely than the overall workforce to sustain an injury from workplace violence, according to research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because they have little experience at the outset of their careers, most young and eager social workers tend to dismiss the risks inherent in the profession. Social work agencies are inclined to downplay the risks rather than give the profession a reputation for being as risky as policeman, for example. This tendency, however, contributes to the risk by not preparing social workers for the dangers they might face along the way.
There are social work settings (for example, child welfare, adult protective services, mental health, criminal justice, domestic violence shelters) where social workers face increased risks of violence. Those conducting home visits can be exposed to particularly unpredictable and unstable environments. Social work agencies are responsible for preparing their case workers to expect violence and train them in avoidance and preventative techniques.
What You Can Do: Prior and Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
Working with people during their darkest moments can lead to high emotions and tensions that escalate into violence. Thinking through the client, situation, and potential outcomes beforehand is key to preparing for whatever you may encounter so that you can help them get back on their feet. Social workers who make visits to clients in the field may be subjected to a range of safety risks. Prior to each field visit, social workers should conduct a risk assessment that includes the following:
- Researching the situation before entering it is key to preparing for and avoiding potentially threatening situations.
- Make sure someone knows the location, time, and expected duration of your visit.
- Keep your work phone always charged and with you.
- Remaining vigilant and thinking ahead is the first step in ensuring an uneventful home visit.
- Use your assessment and anger management training to determine whether a client is safe to enter into a home with.
- Be aware of both verbal and nonverbal communication, such as body language and facial expressions.
- Stay sensitive to any changes in attitude, body language, or behaviors that indicate agitation. Behaviors such as glaring or standing too close are clear warning signs. If a client becomes unmanageable, leave the situation promptly.
- Your intuition is a survival instinct—listen to it. If you feel a sense of unease or discomfort, don’t disregard those warnings.
What Your Agency Can Do
The goal of organizations that employ social workers should be to create a culture of safety that adopts a proactive preventative approach to violence management and risk. To establish an effective "safety culture" agencies must execute the following minimum safety initiatives:
- Provide an oral and written commitment by agency leadership to promote the safety of all staff.
- Govern the management of dangerous (or hostile and violent) behavior in the workplace.
- Establish safety teams or safety committees to ensure adherence to policy and procedure.
- Ensure that safety protocols are instituted, updated, and practiced regularly.
- Identify and investigate physical measures and technology that contribute to and promote the safety of social work staff.
- Provide ongoing proactive risk assessment that identifies line staff at risk for violence, precarious settings, and working conditions.
- Develop and implement an incident reporting system to document and track instances of threats, acts of violence, and damage to property.
- Create a mechanism for reporting and collecting data on an ongoing basis on incidents of assaults, threats, and abuse. A preventative approach involves analyzing and understanding past incidents and determining actions that can circumvent or avoid their reoccurrence.
- The introduction of safety technology must be accompanied by clear protocols and training regarding the limits and proper usage, by whom, and under what circumstances. Technological tools to consider include the following:
- Internal alert systems that can be activated from panic buttons in offices.
- Internal alert systems that can be activated from key fobs or other mobile devices.
- Panic buttons that are linked to public safety departments (police, emergency rooms, fire departments).
- Mobile safety devices that may incorporate GPS and/or audio/video recording.
- Personal safety devices (for example, silent panic buttons, identification card holder with audio monitoring).
- Security cameras where appropriate.
Recognizing risk is the first step in mitigation. Let's all stay safe out there.
Additional resources:
Guidelines for Social Worker Safety in the Workplace from NASW
