No Knowledge of ‘Public Funds’? An Investigation into Social Work Practitioners’ Confidence and Knowledge When Working with Adults with ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’

Abstract

Literature suggests health and social care professionals lack the knowledge and confidence required to work effectively with those subject to immigration control. However, thus far few studies have focused on the social work profession. Using quantitative methods, this study explored social work practitioners’ knowledge and confidence of the entitlements of adults with ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) to adult social care services, through an anonymous, online, national survey (n¼113). Using statistical tests for parametric data, several significant results were found. Training attendance had a statistically significant relationship with knowledge and confidence. Seniority level, years of experience and number of adults with NRPF worked with had statistically significant relationships with confidence but not knowledge. Findings suggest that respondents had adequate knowledge of Care Act assessments. However, confidence was low and knowledge was poor around the entitlements of asylum seekers specifically, access to advocacy and use of human rights assessments. Hence, it is suggested that social work employers should prioritise training on NRPF entitlements, focusing on the areas of poor knowledge found in this study. Moreover, further research with adults with NRPF is needed to better understand their experiences of accessing adult social care.