Social workers take the most time off sick of all professional people - but that is due to the stress, violence and verbal abuse they are subjected to, they claim.

In Leicester, they are almost twice as likely to take sick leave than people doing other jobs.

And a new survey has revealed that social workers top the national sick leave league.

According to research, the average social worker in Britain takes 15 days - or three weeks - off work each year.

Latest absentee figures for Leicester City Council have not been finalised, but assistant director of social service resources David Oldershaw said they were roughly the same.

Staff covering children's homes fair even worse, taking an average 19.2 days off sick - again something Mr Oldershaw agreed with.

In Leicestershire, Josee Ford - who represents 1,400 social services staff - said there were many reasons for sick leave.

She cited violence in children's homes, back injuries working with the elderly, and high stress levels, which are compounded by under-staffing and a tough job.

She said: "It's a vicious cycle and there are a lot of issues involved. A lot of the people who go on sick leave have been injured on duty or something serious has happened. A lot of it is down to industrial injury."

She added: "We have not got figures but I know from our members that they are doing long hours and get stressed and end up having to see their doctors. The council is trying to act, but it's difficult."

No-one from Leicestershire County Council could comment, but Mr Oldershaw said Leicester City Council was well aware of the situation.

He said: "The national figure that we more or less mirror is something that we are keen to reduce. And we can only do that by looking at the causes and improving things.

"It's not an easy one to crack and the figure is higher than many of us would like to see."

Training is given, managers talk to staff about potentially difficult jobs and staff on sick leave receive welfare support from the council.

Used courtesy of the Leicester Mercury