People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin has said Health Minister Mike Nesbitt should increase financial support for social work students.
“I recently attended a ‘Cost of Living, Cost of Learning’ student-led conference at Magee supported by the Ulster University Social Work department and trade unions to highlight financial pressures and poverty faced by Social Work students.
“Students at the conference spoke passionately on why they had chosen to become social workers, but also described the financial challenges they face as they juggle study, work and family responsibilities.
“The student bursary hasn’t been increased in more than twenty years.
“People Before Profit back the campaign to address issues of disparity and equality social work students face.
“I’ve written to the Health Minister calling on him to increase the Student Incentive Scheme to a minimum of £7,000 and the travel allowance to £1,000, and for the Department of Health to review this annually based on inflation and all relevant costs.
“Social Workers are essential workers. The pressures on them today are rising, and we have too few to meet demand and society’s needs.
“Therefore, it’s crucial for social work students to be properly supported.
“It’s time to up the people power pressure on the Health Minister to heed the call from students, lecturers and trade unions representing social workers to increase financial support for social work students.”
