Social Work Safety

Every day social workers across this country provide a wide range of services in increasingly complex environments including child welfare agencies, schools, mental health centers and hospitals. Safety can be a concern in many of these settings. Social workers are often engaging in risky situations without proper safety training, a partner or limited safety equipment. Unfortunately, too many social workers have been the targets of verbal and physical assaults and some have even tragically lost their lives while performing their job responsibilities.

Concerns related to the safety of social workers are brought to the attention of the public each time social worker is killed in the line of duty. This is a critical issue to NASW and our 55 chapters. NASW CEO Angelo McClain has spoken about approaches to improve social worker safety at Social Workers Speak. 

Part of NASW's mission is to promote, develop, and protect the practice of social work and social workers. In alignment with this mission, NASW establishes professional standards, guidelines and resources to support quality social work practice.