National Workload Action Group meeting summary - 20 January
The National Workload Action Group (NWAG) aims to identify recommendations for reducing social worker workload in the UK.
The National Workload Action Group (NWAG) is developing resources for reducing social worker workload.
NWAG meetings bring together local authority representatives and key stakeholders in the social work sector. The group aims to develop resources and provide suggestions to the Department for Education (DfE) about addressing unnecessary workload drivers.
In the final meeting of the NWAG group on 20 January, Research in Practice reflected on the journey of the project, discussed key findings, and outlined the next steps. The group was also joined by the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Janet Daby, for a Q&A session.
The session explored the following:
Over the past two years, representatives from across the children's social care sector have collaborated, bringing diverse perspectives to the table.
Research in Practice held bi-monthly meetings with NWAG members and DfE colleagues, producing an interim report in April 2024, followed by a final report to be published after the project closed on 31 March 2025.
The Recruitment, Testing and Implementation Network (RTIN), comprising approximately 170 staff members from 22 local authorities and trusts, played a crucial role in testing ideas and providing feedback. This iterative process helped refine the final recommendations and resources. These focus on five key areas:
- supervision
- hybrid working and digital practice
- workload and caseload management
- case recording and artificial intelligence
- managerialism and administrative support.
The Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Janet Daby, shared her insights and experiences in social work. Particularly highlighting the challenges facing the profession.
NWAG members had the opportunity to discuss their priorities, including trauma-informed practice, anti-racism, inclusive working cultures, and the recruitment and support for internationally qualified social workers. The Minister expressed her appreciation for the work invested in this project and looked forward to the final report.
Research in Practice presented a summary of the draft final report recommendations and the accompanying practice resources. NWAG members had the opportunity to review and strengthen the recommendations before the final submission.
What next?
The resources have been published on the DfE Support for Social Workers website. The open access resources aim to support employers to meet the employer standards and the implementation of the statutory guidance on the use of agency child and family social workers.
Further tools and resources will be added in the coming months.
The National Working Action Group comprises representatives from across the children’s social care sector. Members bring diverse perspectives, and as such participation in this group does not mean that all members endorse all decisions and actions taken.