Nurses and nursing associates face some of the highest levels of violence and harassment among the adult social care workforce in England, a new report commissioned by the government has suggested.
The Department of Health and Social Care has this week unveiled the results of a survey of more than 7,000 adult social care workers, carried out by Skills for Care, Ipsos and the University of Kent.
The research, completed in 2023, explores the ‘care work-related quality of life’ of people working in the sector, including nurses, nursing associates, care workers, managers, occupational therapists and others.
Violence, harassment and abuse
The findings suggest that experiences of physical violence, harassment and abuse are more common among nurses and nursing associates compared to the wider workforce.
Almost half (49%) of the adult social care workforce reported that they have experienced or witnessed physical violence and 46% said they had experienced or witnessed harassment, bullying or abuse in the last 12 months.
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Among nursing staff, almost two-thirds of respondents said they had experienced physical violence from patients or residents.
Nurses and nursing associates are also more likely to have faced violence from managers, team leaders or colleagues than the rest of the workforce (between 12% to 14%).
This was compared to 9% to 12% of care workers and assistant care workers which reported this, and 8% to 15% of senior care workers.
Not enough time
The report also highlights how a lack of time to do their job well was a key issue among impacting work-life balance and satisfaction among the adult social care workforce.
Overall, 65% of nurses and nursing associates say they do not have enough time to do their job well.
This contrasts with less than half (48%) for the workforce as a whole.
Opportunities to develop
Just over a third (34%) of nurses and nursing associates said they have access to learning and development opportunities, compared to 51% of the adult social care workforce in total.
Recommendations included within the research suggest the need for better signposting of support, high-quality annual appraisals, and leadership support in tackling the violence and aggression faced by the workforce.
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Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), said the figures were ‘very worrying’ and stressed that all adult social care staff should be able to work in a ‘safe and supportive environment for all’.
‘The figures do emphasise that adult social care settings are complex, challenging but also rewarding places in which to work, and the sector requires more resources.
‘The QNI offers a range of support that we offer to nurses and other staff in all nursing and care home settings, and we would encourage staff in the sector to join our national network.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government is implementing enhanced safety requirements and investing in career development pathways.
‘Our reforms will ensure providers have robust systems to protect staff and support their professional growth.
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‘We’re working with Skills for Care, the CQC and sector partners to create safer, more rewarding working environments.’
In an exclusive interview earlier this month, MP and former district nurse Paulette Hamilton said primary and community are citizens are ‘treated as second class citizens’ and need to see more of frontline politicians.
