Example safeguarding dissertation topic 4:

A note in the diary is not enough: Personal safety issues for social workers

As statistics prove, assaults and other acts of aggression are increasingly being levelled against social workers. Too often, however, the only precautionary measure taken by agencies (particularly those within the charitable sector) is a note in the diary where the social worker is expected to be at a certain time. This dissertation explores the measures currently in place at three sites: a local authority, and two charitable sector sites. It evaluates whether these measures are sufficient to maintain the physical safety of social workers, and whether the social workers in question feel safe when undertaking their duties. Finally, it considers whether inadequate safety measures impair the quality of work undertaken (for example, as a result of lack of focus) and develops recommendations for future practice.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• McDonald, G. (2005) ‘Violence in the social work workplace: The Canadian experience’, International Social Work, Vol. 48(6), pp. 772-781.
• Bibby, P. (1994) Personal safety for social workers. Abingdon: Ashgate. Taylor, H., Beckett, C. and McKeigue, B. (2008) ‘Judgements of Solomon: Anxieties and defences of social workers involved in care proceedings’, Child & Family Social Work, Vol. 13, pp. 23-31.