LibrariesGoSolaruLearnWebMailDirectoryMapEventsIndex

Guidelines on Personal Safety

The social work profession has become increasingly concerned about the safety and security of social work practitioners in the workplace.  Work-related violence against social workers may include physical and/or verbal assault, the threat of assault and harassment.  Such concern about workplace violence also draws attention to the safety and security of social work students placed in field placement settings.

Field sites should have policies and procedures dealing with safety and security issues for all personnel.  These safety and security policies and procedures need to be a part of the student’s site orientation.  However, if this information is not formally presented, the student must initiate discussion of such policies and procedures with the field supervisor.  Every effort must be made to reduce potential risk in field settings.  Safety and security issues to be addressed with the student include:

  • office and facility security (e.g., interviewing rooms, emergency exits, disaster plan, 
  • parking areas, before and after hours work);
  • in-house emergency procedures for summoning security, police, and backup assistance;
  • policies and procedures for home and community visits (e.g., when, where, with
  • another worker or escort, under what conditions a visit should or should not be made,
  • emergency backup plans);
  • transporting clients (e.g., personal car, agency vehicle, insurance and liability, when, where, with another worker, under what conditions would an intern be given this assignment);
  • assessing and handling agitated and/or violent clients (e.g., de-escalation techniques,
  • physical restraint of clients, treating clients with a history of violence); and
  • potential risks and safety issues unique to a particular setting and/or client population.

The field supervisor should discuss with the student any activities that may require special planning with regard to safety.  An understanding should be reached between the student and field supervisor, with input from the faculty liaison, about what constitutes “high risk” or “dangerous” assignments.  If the student refuses to accept what may be described as a dangerous assignment, this should be discussed with the faculty liaison.  The student has the right to refuse a dangerous assignment and his/her safety should not be compromised.

If a student is threatened or injured in placement, or is involved in an incident where one’s safety may be compromised, the faculty liaison or field director should be notified immediately.

See information on developing a comprehensive safety plan written by the Committee for the Study and Prevention of Violence against Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter.