HE left social work to become an MSP – now he’s ready to rejoin his former profession as the Covid-19 crisis raises safeguarding fears.
Fulton MacGregor spent eight years working in child protection services and another four in criminal justice before being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016.
Now the Coatbridge and Chryston MSP has offered his services to NHS Lanarkshire as the coronavirus pandemic deepens.
If accepted, he will step back into a social services role on a volunteer basis while juggling his political casework at a time when more and more people are seeking help from their MPs and MSPs.
MacGregor told The National his office has “never been busier” thanks to contact from members of the public seeking advice on work, services and more in light of pandemic control measures.
New processes have been put in place by his team to manage demand.
Scottish and UK coronavirus legislation includes provisions for retired and former social workers to volunteer their skills and support local teams.
The frontline service continues to provide lifeline help to households during the pandemic and, like other sectors, is affected by never-seen-before levels of staff absence as workers showing symptoms of the illness self-isolate.
However, concerns have been raised that the lockdown may exacerbate abuse within the home due to the lack of movement and increased proximity amongst family members.
MacGregor, who has kept his professional registration up to date since entering the Scottish Parliament, says he is prepared to do any work necessary to help that workforce cope during the coronavirus.
He said: “Staff are having to self-isolate but child protection referrals are through the roof.
“If they need me, I’m happy to help.”
He continued: “I’ve kept in touch with my social work colleagues and I’ve been checking in with them
during this crisis. They’re telling me about the stress and strain. The new provisions mean people like me can come in and help plug the gaps.
“Because of the lockdown people’s mental health will have tipped, substance abuse is likely to have gone up. That increases concerns about child protection and those cases have to be investigated, even when the service is working at lower capacity because of staff absences.
“I’ve got the qualifications, I’m registered, I’m fit and able – all I have to do is juggle the caseload and I have a great team to help me do that.”
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