It's time to Change the Script on social work
A best-selling author and foster carer from Nottinghamshire, plus social workers from Birmingham and Brighton, star in a new national campaign in a bid to transform how social work is viewed in society. They appear in a short film for the ‘Change the Script’ campaign alongside people who have benefited from social work. They want to tackle negative perceptions of the profession by sharing the real story of social work and the positive impact it makes to the lives of millions of people, every day.
Social Work England, the regulator for social workers in England – has launched the Change the Script campaign as new research finds that 44% of adults surveyed believe social workers are not respected1. The research also found that 44% say they have been part of negative conversations about social workers. And almost a quarter (24%) admit they themselves have said something unfavourable about the profession.
Beth Moran, award-winning author and foster carer who narrated the new film, said:
“As an author, I believe in the power of storytelling and its ability to transform narratives for the better. But the reality is that, when it comes to social work, we’ve been bombarded for years by negative stereotypes, particularly in TV and film, of what the role involves. As a foster carer, I have experienced first-hand the phenomenal impact social workers can have on people’s lives. It is so important that we tell these positive stories to boost respect for social workers and recognise the important role they play in our society.”
Clair Graham, a social worker and Head of Service for Contextual Safeguarding and a consultant at Birmingham Children’s Trust, who featured in the new film, said:
“Having grown up in care, being the social worker my younger self would have benefited from has motivated me for over 20 years. The reality is that anyone could come into contact with a social worker at any point in their lives. We empower those who cannot speak for themselves, advocate for the vulnerable, persist when others give up, give hope to those who may not have any and find opportunities where none seem to exist. It’s a profession like no other and the legacy we leave should be recognised.”
Accompanying the film, Social Work England has published a new guide aims to change the way people and organisations write and talk about social work – from charities, public services and schools to members of the public – helping to build more accurate and balanced views of the profession and improve public understanding.
You can watch the film and download the guide at https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/about/change-the-script/
1 New research conducted by Mortar Research on behalf of Social Work England. Mortar Research surveyed 2,019 UK adults between 12 and 14 March 2025. The research was undertaken online among a nationally representative sample. Respondents were incentivised and each provided opt-in consent in line with MRS and GDPR guidelines. Mortar Research is a member of the British Polling Council.