A SASW and SWU guide for UK social workers to keep their personal information safe online.
The Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) and the Social Workers Union (SWU) are jointly committed to supporting the safety, wellbeing, and professional integrity of social workers. In recent years, social workers have increasingly been targeted through doxxing, which is the deliberate publication of personal information online without consent, often with the intention to intimidate, harass, or undermine confidence in professional practice.
Given the sensitive nature of social work, practitioners must take proactive steps to protect their digital footprint. This guidance outlines practical measures to reduce risk and ensure personal and professional safety online.
This free guide can be used by social workers across the UK. You are welcome to download this guide and share it with your team and colleagues.
Download your free copy of the SASW & SWU “Reducing the risk of Doxxing: A mini guide for social workers” here: https://swu-union.org.uk/reducing-the-risk-of-doxxing-a-mini-guide-for-social-workers-scotland-2
BASW Northern Ireland and SWU have also produced a guide for social workers in Northern Ireland which can be downloaded here: https://swu-union.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Reducing-the-risk-of-Doxxing-A-mini-guide-for-social-workers-NI-1.pdf
Versions of this guide specifically for social workers in England and Wales will be available soon!
Social work in the media
In 2022, SWU and BASW launched guidance with UK press regulator IMPRESS for journalists reporting on the work of social workers with the aim to provide more protection for those working in the social work profession. This initiative was sparked by the harrowing stories SWU members shared with their union about the impacts that poor media reporting about the profession had on them – impacts that not only affected their personal and professiona lives, but their families as well.
In 2023, SWU hosted a webinar with the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), which regulates most UK newspapers and magazines, as well as digital news content. In this event summary IPSO outlines how it operates and how social workers can seek its support and protection: https://swu-union.org.uk/2023/06/swu-event-outlines-how-social-workers-can-seek-help-from-press-regulator
In 2024, SWU met with broadcast regulator Ofcom to discuss media portrayal of the profession. Learn more about Ofcom’s broadcast standards and complaints process here: https://swu-union.org.uk/2024/05/swu-meets-with-ofcom-social-work-media-portrayal