Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity...
Transcript of Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity...
![Page 1: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future
The final report of the Social Work Task Force: November 2009
Build
ing a safe, co
nfid
ent future The final rep
ort o
f the So
cial Wo
rk Task Fo
rce
The Social Work Task Force is an expert group, jointly appointed by the Secretaries of State for Health, and Children, Schools and Families, to advise the Government on social work reform
You can download this publication online at http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk
Search using ref: DCSF-01114-2009
ISBN: 978-1-84775-588-9
D16(8480)/1109
© Crown copyright 2009
Extracts from this document may be reproduced for non-commercial research, education or training purposes on the condition that the source is acknowledged. For any other use please contact [email protected]
8480-DCSF-Final Report on Social Work Task Force-COVER.indd 1 30/11/2009 14:31
![Page 2: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 1
Contents
Foreword 3
ExecutiveSummary 5
Introduction 13
Chapter1:StartingOut 15
Chapter2:Time,ResourcesandSupport 28
Chapter3:ProfessionalDevelopmentandCareerProgression 37
Chapter4:Leadership 45
Chapter5:PublicValueandUnderstanding 48
Chapter6:ACohesiveandPurposefulSystem 51
ANNEXES
AnnexA: Organisationsandworkloads 57
AnnexB: ExecutiveSummary Facing Up to the Task: the interim report of the Social
Work Task Force 61
AnnexC: MembershipoftheSocialWorkTaskForce 69
![Page 3: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 3
Foreword
Moira Gibb CBE Chair, Social Work Task Force
OurremitletterfromtheSecretariesofStateforHealthandforChildrenSchoolsandFamiliesbeganbyrecognisingthat“thejobsocialworkersdoiscriticaltothenation.Theyplayanessentialroleinprotectingchildrenandyoungpeoplefromharmandinsupportingpeopleofeveryage.Theworktheydocanbedifficultandverydemanding,requiringcarefulprofessionaljudgementsthatcanmakeallthedifferencetothosetheyserve”.
However,theletteralsoacknowledgedthattheprofessionisnotcurrentlyflourishinginEngland.Thechallengesfacingtheprofessionwereunderlinedforusinourmanyopportunitiestomeetwithandhearfromfrontlinepractitionersandserviceusers,aswellasmanagers,educators,electedmembers,regulatorsandobservers.
Itwasrelativelystraightforwardtodevelopacritiqueofthecurrentproblems,particularlythosefacedbysocialworkersinthestatutorysectorandmostextremelybythoseonthefrontlineofchildprotection.Weheardalsoaboutchangingpolicyexpectationscausinguncertaintyinadults’services.Weheardevidenceofsteeplyrisingdemandinsomeareas,addingfurthertoasenseofdeepconcern.Inourinterimreportwesetoutthemainobstacleswesawtothedeliveryofhighqualitysocialwork–andthebuildingblockswethinkmustcometogethertoproduceacomprehensivereformprogramme.Wetestedthesewithawideaudience,formallyandinformally.Therewasextensivesupportforourcritique.
Puttingthingsrightforthefuturewillbemoredemanding.
Wehavetestedoutmanyofthefifteencorerecommendationsinthisourfinalreportwithrelevantgroupsandindividuals–includingourKeyPartnersGroupandourPractitionersReferenceGroup–andaregratefulforthehelpwehavehadinshapingthem.Wearethereforehopingforsimilarwidespreadsupportforourproposals,whichwillneedparticipationfromallsectorstobecomeareality.
Workingwiththebuildingblockssetoutinourinterimreport,wehaveputforwardacomprehensivereformprogramme,allofwhichneedstobeputinplaceovertime.Nodoubtsomewillseeoneortworecommendationsasmoreimportantthanothersorwilldebatetheorderingofanyimplementationplandevelopedbygovernment.Thestability,safetyandimprovementoftheprofessionrequiresthattheyshouldallbeputinplace,withoutgaps,butneedtobebuiltupcarefullyandsystematically.Wehavelimitedourrecommendationsinnumberandkeptourreportasshortaspossibletohelpallthosewhoarekeytodeliveringthesechanges,andtothesubsequentsuccessofthesereforms,toplaytheirpart.
![Page 4: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future4
Weknowalsothatcapacityacrossthesocialworkserviceisverystretched.Itwillbedifficultforthosecopingwithverydemandingjobstodaytosparetimetocontributetobuildinganewfuture.Asaresult,leadershipbyemployers,supportedbygovernment,isneededinthehereandnowtotaketheactionwhichwillbegintoeasethepressure.
Mostofthewaysforwardwehavesuggestedcannothappenwithoutcollaborationbetweenkeyplayers.Forexample,theeducationandtrainingofthenextgenerationofsocialworkersmustbethejointresponsibilityofuniversitiesandemployers.ButmanyothersectorbodieshaveaparttoplayandIaskthattheyprioritisethisnowaboveanyorganisationalinterests,sothatwecantogethergraspthisopportunity.
Strong,independent,nationalleadershipoftheprofessionwillalsomakeagreatdifference.Participationinthelifeanddevelopmentofaprofessiondemandsresources–principallythetimeofsocialworkersthemselveswhichisgenerallyunderthecontrolofmanagersandemployers.Thenationalcollegeofsocialworkweareproposinginthisreportwillneednotjusttheactivesupportofpractisingsocialworkers,butalsooftheiremployers.
Therealsoneedstobecollaborationonaddressingthepoorimageofthesocialworkprofession,whichasitstandsnowispreventinggoodpeoplefromseekingtojointheprofessionandspeedingthedepartureofothers.Thiswillrequireagreaterwillingnesstoexplain,avoidingtheuseofjargonandtryingtobemoretransparent.Itwillneedmuchgreateropennesswiththemedia,andmoreeffortandexpertiseintellingthepositivestories.Thiscannotbemerelyanafterthoughtbutisfundamentaltomakingthemostoftheotherreformswearerecommending.
IwouldliketothankmycolleaguesontheTaskForceandintheJointSocialWorkUnit,andallotherswhohavecontributed,fortheworktheyhaveputintoarrivingattheadviceandrecommendationsinthisreport.Theserecommendationshavethepotentialtoputtheprofessiononasafe,confidentfootingforthefuture.Thiswillultimatelybetothebenefitofpeoplewhoarevulnerableoratriskandwhoshouldbeabletodrawontheexpertiseofagoodsocialworker.Thisisagreatprizetoaimfor.
However,therecommendationsthemselvesarejustthat–recommendations.Theyneedtobetranslatednowintosustainedactioninwhicheveryonesignsuptoacommonpurpose,anddeliversontheirresponsibilities.Inshort,socialworkhasarrivedatawatershedmoment.Thisgivesusanopportunitytocometogethertobuildasafe,confidentfuture,whichallofusmustseize.
MoiraGibbCBE
![Page 5: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 5
Executive Summary
“Goodsocialworkersareattheendofaphone,giveconfidenceinacrisis,helpfindsolutions,giveasecondopinion,knowthelegalposition,reacttoneed.I’veneverhadaproblemwithsocialworkers.I’vehadoutstandingsupport.”
“WhenmyMamdiedthesocialworkerhelpedmetogetmynameonthetenancyofthehouseIlivedinwithmyMam.Theysortedallofthisoutandthenhelpedmetodecidewhattodonext.”
“Goodsocialworkersprovideclarityaboutwhatprogresshasbeenmade.Theytellyouwhatcanandcan’tbedone,what’scausingproblems.Keepingyouinvolvedisthemostimportantthing.”
“Theyneedtobeconfidentaboutgettingoutandlookingatandinspectingtheplacestheyhaveputchildren–fosterhomes,carehomesandsoon.Theyneedtotakealotofcaretomakesuretheyhaveareallygoodunderstandingofyoursituation.Theyshouldn’tmakeassumptions.”
ServiceusersandcarerswhospoketotheSocialWorkTaskForce.
TheSocialWorkTaskForcebelievesinthevalueofgoodsocialworkandinitsimportancetosociety.
“Whenpeoplearemadevulnerable–bypoverty,bereavement,addiction,isolation,mentaldistress,disability,neglect,abuse,orothercircumstances–whathappensnextmattershugely.Ifoutcomesarepoor,ifdependencybecomesingrainedorharmgoesunchecked,individuals,families,communitiesandtheeconomycanpayaheavyprice.Goodsocialworkerscananddomakeahugedifferenceinthesedifficultsituations.”1
Goodsocialworklikethis–andlikethesocialworkdescribedabovebyserviceuserswhospoketotheTaskForce–dependsonconfident,effectivefrontlineprofessionals.Theseprofessionalsdepend,inturn,onasystemofhighqualitytraining,regulationandleadershipbehindthem.Thissystemshouldprovidethemwiththeresourcesandconditionstheyneedtodotheirjobwell.
Whensocialworkershaveconfidenceintheirownskills,purposeandidentity,andinthesysteminplacetobackthemup,theyhaveahugeamounttooffer.Theycollaborateeffectivelywithotherprofessionalsandadapttonewrolesandexpectations.Mostimportantly,theyforge
1 Facing Up to the Task: the interim report of the Social Work Task Force (July2009).
![Page 6: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future6
constructivepartnershipswithpeoplewhofindthemselvesvulnerableoratriskandmakeasustaineddifferenceintheirlives.
Atpresent,however,socialworkinEnglandtoooftenfallsshortofthesebasicconditionsforsuccess.Weaknessesinrecruitment,retention,frontlineresources,training,leadership,publicunderstandingandotherfactorsareallcompoundingoneanother.Theyareholdingbacktheprofessionandmakingserviceimprovementdifficulttoachieve.Mostimportantly,peoplewholooktosocialworkersforsupportarenotgettingtheconsistentlyhighqualityofservicetheydeserve.
Atthesametime,theprofessionisbeingaskedtorespondtochange:forinstance,adaptingtothenewagendaforpersonalisationinadultservices;respondingtoheightenedpublicconcernaboutchildprotection;andplayinganeffectivepartinintegratedworkingbetweendifferentagencies.
Socialworkistooimportantforusnottopursueexcellenceeverywhere.Werecognisethatthereismuchinnovationandgoodpracticewithinthesystem.However,theyarenotwidespreadenough.Insomeplacesandorganisations,qualityofpracticehassufferedbadly.
Our ambitions for reformWebelievethereforethatthequalityofsocialworkpracticenowneedstoberaisedsignificantly,throughcomprehensive,ambitiousreform,including
●● bettertraining–withemployers,educatorsandtheprofessionalltakingtheirfullshareofresponsibilityforinvestinginthenextgenerationandinenablingsocialworkersalreadyinpracticetodeveloptheirskillscontinuously
●● improvedworkingconditions–with employerssigninguptonewstandardsforthesupportandsupervisionoftheirfrontlineworkforcethatmakegoodpracticepossible
●● strongerleadershipandindependence–withtheprofessiontakingmorecontroloveritsownstandards,howitisunderstoodandvaluedbythepublic,andthecontributionitmakestochangesinpolicyandpractice
●● areliablesupplyofconfident,highquality,adaptableprofessionalsintotheworkforce,wheretheycanbuildlong-termcareersonthefrontline
●● greaterunderstandingamongthegeneralpublic,serviceusers,otherprofessionalsandthemediaoftheroleandpurposeofsocialwork,thedemandsofthejobandthecontributionsocialworkersmake
●● moreuseofresearchandcontinuingprofessionaldevelopmenttoinformfrontlinepractice
Weareproposingasinglenationalreformprogrammeforsocialworktoensurethatthereisconcerted,co-ordinatedprogressonallfronts.
Asreformunfoldsandconditionsimprove,socialworkneedstobecomeaprofessionwhichtakesresponsibilityforthequalityofitspractice.Itshouldusethebestevidencetodeterminehowitcanbemosteffective.Itshouldberespectedandsupported,butheldfairlytoaccountbyGovernment,employers,educators,regulatorsandthepublic.
![Page 7: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 7
Listeningtopeoplewhouseservices–adults,youngpeopleandchildren–willbeespeciallyimportant.Fromourcontactwithserviceusers,weknowthattheirexperiencesaremixedandthatweneedtoresolveunderlyingproblemswiththeprofessioninordertoaddressthis.Socialworkreformwillnotsucceedunlessitisopentoandinfluencedbytheviewsandexperiencesofpeoplewhoknowbesttheimpactthatgood(andbad)practicecanhave.
Ourrecommendationsreflectalloftheseambitions.Weexpectthisreporttoactasaturningpointfortheprofession.
Our recommendationsWearerecommendingareformed system of initial education and training,increasingthenumberofconfident,competentprofessionalscomingintotheworkforce(Chapter1).
Areformedsystemofeducationandtrainingshould
●● beginwithclear,consistentcriteriaforentrytosocialworkcourses–withanewregimefortestingandinterviewingcandidatesthatbalancesacademicandpersonalskills–sothatallstudentsareofahighcalibre
●● providecourseswherethecontent,teaching,placementopportunitiesandassessmentareofahighstandardacrossallproviders–weare,forinstance,proposingadvancedteachingorganisationstatusforagenciesprovidinghighqualitypracticeplacementstosocialworkstudents
●● culminateinanewsupportedandassessedfirstyearinemployment,whichwouldactasthefinalstageinbecomingafull,practisingsocialworker
Theassessedyearinemploymentwouldalsoallowsocialworkerstoincreasetheirexpertiseinspecialisedareasofsocialwork,buildingontheimprovedgroundingprovidedbythedegreeandcreatingasolidplatformforfurthercareerlongdevelopment.Responsibilityforassessmentcouldpotentiallybesharedbetweenemployers,highereducationinstitutionsandtheregulator.
Thesystemforeducatingsocialworkerswillbestrengthenedbymoretransparentandeffectiveregulationandbystrongerlocalpartnershipsbetweenuniversitiesandemployers.Thisshouldgivegreaterassuranceofquality,consistencyandsupply.
Wearerecommendingtheestablishmentofanindependentnational college of social work.Thecollegewillarticulateandpromotetheinterestsofgoodsocialwork.Itwillgivetheprofessionitselfstrong,independentleadership;aclearvoiceinpublicdebate,policydevelopmentandpolicydelivery;andstrongownershipofthestandardstobeupheld.(Chapter4)
Wearerecommending clear,universal and binding standards for employers.Thesewouldcoverhowfrontlinesocialworkshouldberesourced,managedandsupported–includingclearrequirementsgoverningsupervision–sothathighqualitypracticeisanachievableaimforallsocialworkers.Employersprovidingasocialworkserviceshouldberequiredtoassesstheirperformanceagainstthestandard,takethisthroughtheirinternalreviewprocess,publishtheresults –includinginformationonthecaseloadceilingsorcontrolstheyareoperating–andsetouttheirplansforimprovement.Wearepublishinganinitialframeworktohelpwithactionnowinassessingthe“health”oforganisationsonarangeofissuesaffectingworkload.Wearealso
![Page 8: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future8
recommendingthecreationofadedicated programme of training and support for managersoffrontlinesocialworkers.(Chapter2)
Wearerecommendingasingle, nationally recognised career structure (Chapter3).Thisnewcareerstructurewould
●● mapeachof themainstagesofacareerinsocialworkfromdegreecourseentrantonwards,makingcleartheexpectationsthatshouldapplytosocialworkersateachofthesestages
●● giveshapetothemorecoherentandeffective national framework for the continuing professional development of social workerswhichwearealsorecommending(Chapter3)andwhichshouldincorporatethenewMastersinSocialWorkPractice
●● guideindividualemployersinhowthesocialworktaskisbestorganisedinlocalitieswiththerightmixofexpertisewithinfrontlineteamsandhowtheyshouldconfiguretheirworkforcetosupportprogression
●● ensurethatsocialworkersarepaidfairly,inlinewiththeirskills,knowledgeandlevelofresponsibility–with,inparticular,progressionroutesavailabletohighquality,specialistpractitionerswhichdonotremovethemfromfrontlinepractice
Wearerecommendinganewsystem for forecasting levels of demand for social workers,whichcaneventuallybeusedforlocal,regionalandnationalplanningconcerningtrainingandrecruitment(Chapter6).
Toreplacecurrentrequirementsforrenewalofregistrationwithasystemthatismorerigorousandtransparentabouttangibleimprovementsinknowledgeandskills,wearerecommendingalicence to practisesystemforsocialworkers(Chapter6).Underthissystem,practitionerswouldfirstacquireandthenmaintaintheirstatusassocialworkers(andtheirabilitytobeemployedassuch).Thiswouldbeachievedthroughdemonstratingthattheycontinuetomeethighstandardsofprofessionaldevelopmentandcompetence.Onceestablishedthelicencetopractisewillallowforthedevelopmentofrequirementsrelatingtomorespecialistexpertise.
SocialworkershavelefttheTaskForceinnodoubtregardingtheirconcernaboutthewayinwhichtheprofessionisreportedoninthemediaandtheimpactthisishavingonrecruitment,moraleandpublicperception.Membersofthepublic,colleaguesfromotherprofessionsandserviceusersareoftenunclearorconfusedaboutwhattheyshouldexpectofsocialworkers,leadingtomisunderstandingandfrustrationonallsides.Underthesecircumstances,theprofessionwillstruggletobeconfidentandeffective.
Wearealsorecommendingtherefore
●● anew programme of action on public understanding of social work,creatinggreateropennessabouttheprofession,inwhichtheproposednationalcollegeshouldplaytheleadingrole.Actionshouldincludeasustainedapproachtoraisingandmaintainingpublicawarenessofwhatsocialworkentailsandthecontributiongoodsocialworkmakestosociety.ThepublicdescriptionofsocialworkoriginallydevelopedbytheSocialWorkTaskForceforourinterimreportshouldbeadopted,finalisedandusedbythenationalcollegeforthispurpose.(TheoriginalwordingcanbefoundintheExecutiveSummaryoftheinterimreport.SeeAnnexB.)
![Page 9: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 9
Thechangesweneedtoseearenotsimple.Itwillbedifficulttomakeprogresswhileresponsibilityfortheoverallhealthoftheprofessionstaysfragmented.Employers,educators,theGovernmentandtheprofessionitselfallneedtoactdifferently.Thereisaneedforamuchmorecollaborativeapproachbetweenustostrengthensocialwork,withdemonstrablyhighlevelsofaccountabilityfortheactionswetake,bothwhenweareactingindividuallyandtogether.
Reformofthiskindislikelytorequireatenyearcommitmentwithconcertedactionoverthenextfiveyearsinparticular.Wearerecommendingthereforethecreationofasingle national reform programme for social work (seeChapter6).Thereformprogramme–including,forinstance,thedevelopmentofthestandardforemployers,thenationalcareerstructureandthesupplymodel–shouldbeoverseenbyanewboard,reportingtoMinisters,andreflectingthisneedforcollectiveresponsibility.Overallprogressindeliveringreformshouldbereviewedandmadepublicannually.
TheprogrammeshouldbestructuredaroundthebuildingblocksforreformoriginallysetoutintheinterimreportoftheSocialWorkTaskForce.(ThesecanalsobefoundatAnnexB.)
Collectiveactionwillclearlyneedtobetakenatamorelocallevel,aswellasnationally,onsomematters.Thisincludesclosecollaborationbetweenemployersandeducatorstoensurethereareadequatenumbersof:placesonsocialworkcourses;highqualitypracticeplacementopportunitiesforstudents;andsuitableentrantstotheworkforce.Theboardoverseeingreformshouldmovequicklytounderstandlocal,regionalandsub-regionalpartnerships,wherethesearecurrentlyinplace,andalsohowotherprofessionsorganisethemselvestohandletheseissues.Itshouldbringforwardadviceonhowlocalemployersandhighereducationinstitutionscanbestworkandplantogetheronquestionsofeducation,trainingandlocalworkforcesupply.
Thereformprogrammeshouldalsobuildonallthatisstillbeinglearntfromexistingmeasurestoimprovesocialwork,asintroducedoverrecentyearsbygovernment,individualemployers,highereducationinstitutionsandothers,includingthenewlyqualifiedsocialworkerprogrammesandemploymentbasedroutesintoqualifications.
The role of GovernmentBysettinguptheTaskForce,Ministershavealreadyshownstrongsharedcommitmenttosocialworkreformonacross-departmentalbasis.Continuinggovernmentcommitmenttoexcellenceinsocialworkwillbeevenmorevitaloverthelongterm.
Inparticular,webelievegovernmentactionshouldinclude
●● ongoingjointcommitmentandleadershipacrossgovernmentinsupportofthenationalreformprogramme–withrapidactiontoensurethattheprogrammeisputinplaceandgetsswiftlyunderwayandthatitbecomesmainstreambusinessintherelevantdepartments
●● thenecessaryinvestmenttomakereformarealityatalllevels,especiallyonthefrontline–ourproposalshaveimplicationsforresourcesandlegislationwhichGovernmentwillneedtoworkthroughasquicklyaspossibleifmomentumistobemaintained
●● stronglogisticalsupporttotheprofessiontoenableittoestablishanindependentnationalcollege
![Page 10: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future10
●● rationalisationofthedeliveryorganisations,partnershipsandstandardsettingmechanisms,theproliferationofwhichcontributestoconfusionandinefficienciesinworkforceimprovement–iftheprofessionistobecomemoreconfidentandmoreeffective,itneedstobesupportedbyorganisationsthataremoreclearlyfocusedontheimprovementofsocialwork
●● ensuringtheperformanceindicatorregimesthatinfluencesocialworkdonotprivilegethecompletionofprocessesattheexpenseofservicequalityoroutcomesforserviceusers,andthattheyavoidperverseincentivesandmeasuresforwhichthereisnosupportingevidencebase
●● interveningstronglywheneveranyoftheambitionsandrecommendationsforsocialworksetoutinthisreportareatriskofnotbeingachieved
Abetter,strongerfutureforsocialworkneedseveryoneconcernedtobeclearaboutwherewearetryingtogettoandthepriorityactionsneededtoachievethis;andaboutthedeliverysystemandtheirresponsibilitieswithinit.Weareconfidentourreportprovidesaplatformformeetingtheseconditions.Wehopethattheprospectofcomprehensive,longtermreformofthekindwearerecommendingwillbewidelywelcomed.
Short term actionHowever,wearealsoacutelyawareoftheveryrealpressuresfacingsocialworkrightnow.Someofthereformswearerecommendingwilltaketimetobeimplementedinfullandtoproducechangeontheground.Itwillnotbepossibletoputsomeintoeffectuntilthecapacitywithinthesystemhasincreased.Itfollowsthatmanagers,employers,highereducationinstitutionsandregulators,aswellasgovernment,mustallactquicklytoensuretheyareprovidingthebestpossiblesupporttopeoplewhoneedsocialworkservicesnow –andtothepeoplewhoarechargedwithdeliveringtheseservices.
Inparticular,werecommendthat
●● DCSFandlocalauthoritiesshouldcontinuetoimprovetheIntegratedChildren’sSystem(ICS),bytranslatingnationalspecificationsintotangibleimprovementstolocalsystems,makingICSmorestraightforwardandeffectiveforfrontlinesocialworkersinchildren’sservices
●● localgovernmentshouldconsiderhowresourcescanbereallocated tomakeadifferenceonthefrontline–centralgovernmentmustsupportlocalgovernmenttomanagehighpressuresonfrontlineservices,includingthroughmakingresourcesavailable
●● employersshouldholdfrankandopendiscussionswithfrontlinepractitionersandmanagersabouttherealityofpracticeonthefrontline,theburdenspractitionersarecarrying,andhowtheycanimproveservices
●● bothformalandinformalpilotingoftheremodellingofsocialworkservicesshouldbeencouragedandincentivisedand,wherenecessary,resourced,buildingonwhatisbeinglearntfromworkalreadyunderway
![Page 11: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 11
Asmadeclearabove,webelievethatsocialworkreformwillnotworkunlessitisopentotheviewsandexperiencesofpeoplewhousetheservice.Wehaveincorporatedthisprincipleintoanumberofourrecommendations–including,forinstance,inhowthenationalcollegeforsocialwork,theassessedyearinemployment,andtheprogrammeofactiononthepublicunderstandingofsocialworkaredevelopedanddelivered.Thevoiceandinfluenceofserviceusersshouldbebuiltintothewholereformprogrammefromthestart.
ConclusionSocialworkersandothershavebeentalkingaboutsomeoftheproblemsandpotentialsolutionsraisedinthisreportforsometime.Thereisnowbothanopportunityandanurgentnecessitytoputthingsright.Employers,educatorsandsocialworkersthemselvesallneedtoseizethismoment.
Employersneedtoprovidegreaterleadershipanddirectionforsocialworklocally.Theymustactnowtoensurethattheyarelisteningtotheirstaffandputtinginplacethesupportthattheyneed.Theymustsetthehigheststandardsfortheserviceschildren,youngpeopleandvulnerableadultsreceivefromsocialworkers.But,theymustengagedirectlywiththeirsocialworkerstoensurethattheyareabletodeliverthosehighstandards.
Educatorsofsocialworkersmustdeliveraconsistentlyhighqualityofinitialtrainingandcontinuingprofessionaleducation.Theymustworkwiththeprofessionandemployerstoensurethatsocialworkersarewellpreparedfortheworktheyneedtodo,andaresupportedtoimprovetheirskillsandspecialismsrightthroughouttheircareers.
Socialworkersneedtodevelopamorepowerfulvoice.Theymusttakeresponsibilityforsettingtheirownhighstandardsandfordemonstratinghighqualityprofessionalpracticewhichmakesarealdifferenceforthosetheyworkwith.Todothis,theyneedtoworkwithemployers,educatorsandthegovernmenttostrengthentheircredibility,toraisetheirstatus,andtoensurethattheyhavethesupporttheyneedtodotheirwork.
Finally,inadditiontothechallengeswehavealreadysetoutforitabove,centralgovernmentmustsignalitsintentiontosetchangeinmotionnow,unblocktheroutetolongtermprogress,andhelptoconstructthedurablepartnershipswithoutwhichreformwillnotsucceed.
![Page 12: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future12
The Social Work Task Force’s 15 recommendations1. Calibre of Entrants:thatcriteriagoverningthecalibreofentrantstosocialworkeducation
andtrainingbestrengthened.
2. Curriculum and Delivery:anoverhaulofthecontentanddeliveryofsocialworkdegreecourses.
3. Practice Placements:thatnewarrangementsbeputinplacetoprovidesufficienthighqualitypracticeplacements,whichareproperlysupervisedandassessed,forallsocialworkstudents.
4. Assessed Year in Employment:thecreationofanassessedandsupportedyearinemploymentasthefinalstageinbecomingasocialworker.
5. Regulation of Social Work Education:moretransparentandeffectiveregulationofsocialworkeducationtogivegreaterassuranceofconsistencyandquality.
6. Standard for Employers:thedevelopmentofaclearnationalstandardforthesupportsocialworkersshouldexpectfromtheiremployersinordertodotheirjobseffectively.
7. Supervision:thenewstandardforemployersshouldbesupportedbyclearnationalrequirementsforthesupervisionofsocialworkers.
8. Front Line Management:thecreationofdedicatedprogrammesoftrainingandsupportforfrontlinesocialworkmanagers.
9. Continuing Professional Development:thecreationofamorecoherentandeffectivenationalframeworkforthecontinuingprofessionaldevelopmentofsocialworkers,alongwithmechanismstoencourageashiftinculturewhichraisesexpectationsofanentitlementtoongoinglearninganddevelopment.
10. National Career Structure:thecreationofasingle,nationallyrecognisedcareerstructureforsocialwork.
11. National College of Social Work:thecreationofanindependentnationalcollegeofsocialwork,developedandledbysocialworkers.
12. Public Understanding:anewprogrammeofactiononpublicunderstandingofsocialwork.
13. Licence to Practise: thedevelopmentofalicencetopractisesystemforsocialworkers.
14. Social Worker Supply:anewsystemforforecastinglevelsofsupplyanddemandforsocialworkers.
15. National Reform Programme:thecreationofasinglenationalreformprogrammeforsocialwork.
![Page 13: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 13
Introduction
TheSocialWorkTaskForcewassetupbytheDepartmentofHealthandtheDepartmentforChildren,SchoolsandFamiliestoundertakeacomprehensivereviewoffrontlinesocialworkpracticeandtomakerecommendationsforimprovementandreformofthewholeprofession,acrossadultandchildren’sservices.
TheTaskForcemetforthefirsttimeinFebruary2009.ThemembersoftheTaskForceweredrawnfromlocalfrontlineservicesandseniorleadership,research,themedia,thethirdsector,serviceuserorganisations,UnisonandtheBritishAssociationofSocialWorkers.(AlistofthemembersoftheTaskForcecanbefoundinAnnexB.)ItpublisheditsfirstreportinMay2009intheformofaletterfromtheChairtotheSecretariesofStateforHealthandforChildren,SchoolsandFamilies.
InJuly2009,theTaskForcepublisheditsinterimreport,Facing up to the Task.(TheExecutiveSummaryisreproducedatAnnexA.)Thissetoutproposalsforthekindofcomprehensivereformneeded,includingaseriesofbuildingblocksforconstructingareformprogramme.Wehavenotrepeatedherealloftheevidencetosupporttherecommendationswearenowmaking.Thisissetoutingreaterdetailinourinterimreport,whichshouldbeseenasacompaniondocumenttothefinalreport.TheinterimreportalsocontainedapublicdescriptionofsocialworkdevelopedbytheTaskForce.Thisshouldbeadoptedanddevelopedbythenationalcollegeproposedinthisreportforuseinaprogrammeofactiononimprovingthepublicunderstandingofsocialwork2.
Inthisfinalreport,theTaskForceissettingoutfifteen recommendationsforimprovingandreformingsocialwork.Theserecommendationsweredevelopedfromthebuildingblocksforreformfirstsetoutintheinterimreport.Eachchapterisintwoparts.Thefirstpartsummarizescontextandevidence.Thesecondpartcontainstherecommendations.Thefirstfivechaptersfocusonspecificissuesdirectlyaffectinghowsocialworkispractised.Chapter6isfocusedonactionneededtounderpinlongtermimprovementandreform.
TheTaskForcehascarriedoutawide-rangingprogrammeofconsultationandevidencegathering,beginninginspring2009.Asummaryofthisprogrammeiscontainedintheinterimreport.TheChairandmembersoftheTaskForcearegratefultoallofthosewhotookpart–particularlytheserviceuserswhocontributedthroughfocusgroupsandquestionnaires;thefrontlinepractitionerswhogaveuptheirtimetotakepartinregionaleventsandonlinesurveys;andtheKeyPartnersGroupandPractitionersReferenceGroup,bothofwhichmettheTask
2 TheexecutivesummaryoftheInterimReport,includingthepublicdescriptionisre-printedasAnnexBtothisreport.ThedescriptionwasalsousedbySkillsforCareandtheChildren’sWorkforceDevelopmentCouncilintheirworkondescribingsocialworkrolesandtasks.Furtherinformationisavailablefromtheirwebsites.
![Page 14: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future14
Forceonanumberofoccasionsoverthepasteightmonths.AllofthisinputhasplayedavitalpartinhelpingtheTaskForcetounderstandtheissuesandarriveatitsrecommendations.
WhiletheTaskForcehasbeenatwork,LordLaming’sprogressreportonThe Protection of Children in EnglandandthereportoftheHouseofCommonsChildren,SchoolsandFamiliesCommitteeontheTraining of Children and Families Social Workers havebothbeenpublished.TheTaskForcehascarefullyconsideredthecontentofbothreportsandhassoughttoaddresstheissuesraisedbythemforthesocialworkprofession.TheTaskForcebelievesthattherecommendationsitisnowputtingforward,andthereformprogrammethatshoulddeliverthem,willenablethegovernment,employers,educatorsandtheprofessiontorespondtotheproblemsidentifiedbyLordLamingandtheselectcommittee.
LordLaming’sandtheselectcommittee’sreportsfocusedonsocialworkinchildren’sservicesonly.TheTaskForcebelievesthatthereisgreatvaluetoserviceusersinpreservingsocialworkasasingleprofessioncoveringworkwithbothchildrenandadults.Therecommendationsinthisreportareintendedtosupportacontinuingsingleprofession.Theyaredesignedtoenablesocialworkerstobenefitfromhighqualityeducationandtraininginrespondingtoboththeneedsofchildrenandadults,butalsotodevelopspecialistskillsearlyinandoverthefullcourseoftheircareers.
Muchofthisreportisinevitablyfocusedonsocialworkinthestatutorysector.Thisis,inmanyrespects,thebedrockofsocialworkinEngland.However,CAFCASS,theNHSandvoluntaryandprivatesectororganisationsarealsoimportantemployersofsocialworkers.TheTaskForceisconfidentitsproposalswillhelpsocialworkersacrossalltheservicesandsectorsinwhichtheycurrentlywork.
Copies of the previous Task Force reports and other key documents can be found at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/swtf/.
![Page 15: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 15
Chapter 1: Starting Out
SummaryTheSocialWorkTaskForceisrecommendingareformedsystemofinitialeducationandtraining,increasingthenumberofconfident,competentprofessionalscomingintotheworkforce.
Areformedsystemofeducationandtrainingshould
●● beginwithclear,consistentcriteriaforentrytosocialworkcourses–withanewregimefortestingandinterviewingcandidatesthatbalancesacademicandpersonalskills–sothatallstudentsareofahighcalibre
●● providecourseswherethecontent,teaching,placementopportunitiesandassessmentareofahighstandardacrossallproviders–weare,forinstance,proposingadvancedteachingorganisationstatusforagenciesprovidinghighqualitypracticeplacementstosocialworkstudents
●● culminateinanewsupportedandassessedfirstyearinemployment,whichwouldactasthefinalstageinbecomingafullpractisingsocialworker
Theassessedyearinemploymentwouldalsoallowsocialworkerstoincreasetheirexpertiseinspecialisedareasofwork,buildingontheimprovedgroundingprovidedbythedegreeandcreatingasolidplatformforfurthercareerlongdevelopment.Responsibilityforassessmentcouldpotentiallybesharedbetweenemployers,highereducationinstitutionsandtheregulator.
Thesystemforeducatingsocialworkerswillbestrengthenedbymoretransparentandeffectiveregulation.Thisshouldgivegreaterassuranceofconsistencyandquality.
1.1 Theintroductionofthesocialworkdegreein2003,withincreasesinthetimespentbystudentsinassessedpractice,was averyimportantdevelopmentforsocialwork.Itheraldedthearrivalofagraduateprofession.Alongwithsocialworkersbecomingprofessionalswitha‘protectedtitle’whichonlytheycoulduse,achievingdegreestatussentaclearsignalaboutwhatsocialworkshouldbe:aprofessionmadeupofhighlyskilled,highlyqualifiedpractitioners,whoseexpertisecontinuouslydevelopsthroughouttheircareer.
![Page 16: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future16
1.2 Therewasoptimismandenthusiasmaboutanewqualification,whichitwashopedwouldraiseboththequalityandsupplyofsocialworkers.Atthesametime,thedegreebroughttheacademiclevelofsocialworktraininginEnglandmoreinlinewithothercountriesandwithotherprofessions,whichhadhaddegreelevel(orinsomecasesMasters)trainingformanyyears.
1.3 Thedegreehashadsomenotablesuccessesinrelationtotheoriginalambitionsforit.Followingaconsiderabledeclineoverpreviousyears,oneoftheaimsofthesocialworkdegreewastoincreasethenumbersofthoseaccessingsocialworkeducationandtraining.Thistargetwasachievedduringthefirstthreeyears.Over13,000peoplehavenowqualifiedassocialworkerssincethefirststudentsgraduatedin2005.
1.4 Thedegreehasalsoachieveditsaimofcontinuingtoattractahighproportionofstudentsfromdifferentblackandminorityethnicgroups,helpingtoensurethatsocialworkersrepresentthediversecommunitiestheyserve.Ithasalsosucceededinincreasingtheproportionofyoungercandidatesandschoolleaversintothecourses,whilemaintaininghighlevelsofmaturestudents,thusopeningupthepossibilitythatallthosewhohavethepotentialtobecomegoodpractitionerscandoso,regardlessofage.Post-graduatecourses–25%ofallprovision–arepopularandshowgoodprogressionandachievementrates.
1.5 Throughthedegree,newinitiativeswerealsointroducedtoencouragetheparticipationofserviceusersandcarersinallaspectsofdegreedesignanddelivery.Whileimplementationoftherequirementgoverningthisinvolvementhasbeenvariable,serviceusersarenowcloselyinvolvedinthedesignanddeliveryofcoursestogoodeffect.
1.6 However,theTaskForcehasalsoheardfrommanysourcesthatinitialeducationandtrainingisnotyetreliableenoughinmeetingitsprimaryobjective,whichmustbetopreparestudentsforthedemandsoffrontlinepractice.Someemployersaretellingusthattheyareunabletoappointnewlyqualifiedsocialworkers(NQSW)becauseofalackofsuitableapplicants.SomeNQSWcannotfindjobs.Otherswhodoentertheworkforceareoftenexpectedtotakeonunrealisticallycomplextasksbecauseoftheacuterecruitmentandretentionprobleminmanyauthorities.Equally,employersneedtoberealisticaboutthetimepeopleneedtoprogressfromachievingaprofessionalqualificationtooperatingasafullprofessional,andwhatthereforeanewlyqualifiedsocialworkershouldbeaskedtodo.
1.7 Thereare,ofcourse,manystrong,respectedcoursesthatotherproviderscanlearnfrom.Reformneedstobuildonsuchsuccesses–andensurethatthewholesystemreachesnewlevelsofconsistencyinprovidinghighqualityeducationandtraining.
1.8 Webelievethatthereareanumberofstrengthsandweaknessesinthesystemasawholethataccountforthecurrentstateofaffairs.TheseweresetoutindetailintheinterimreportoftheSocialWorkTaskForceandaresummarisedbelow.
![Page 17: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 17
Localpartnershipbetweenemployersandeducators
1.9 Thereareexamplesofgoodcollaborationbetweenemployersandhighereducationinstitutions(HEI)providingsocialworkcourses,whichdeliverseveralmajorbenefits.Collaborationofthiskindhelpsin
●● aligningtheacademicandpracticalpartsofthedegreetobesteffect
●● establishingasharedunderstanding,atalocallevel,aboutwhatpreciselyshould–andshouldn’t–beexpectedfrominitialsocialworkeducationandtraining
●● managingworkforcesupplyneedsstrategically
●● providinghighqualitypracticeplacementsforstudents
1.10 However,thecurrentrequirementsforemployersandserviceuserstobeinvolvedinthedesignanddeliveryoflocalcourseshavenotworkedwellinallareas.
1.11 Itiscriticalnowthatemployersandeducatorsworktogethermorecloselytodriveimprovementsinsocialworkeducation3.Employersinparticularneedtogetmoreinvolvedindevisinganddeliveringlocalstrategiesandcoursesthatwillensurethedeliveryofhighqualityeducationandtrainingtoproducethekindsofsocialworkerstheywantandneed.
Calibreofentrants
1.12 Thecalibreofentrantstosocialworkdegreecoursesispivotalinimprovingthequalityofgraduatesenteringtheworkforceandtoraisingthestandardsandstatusoftheprofession.
1.13 Socialworkcallsforaparticularmixofanalyticalskills,insight,commonsense,confidence,resilience,empathyanduseofauthority.Someoftheseattributesaredifficulttotestandthereismixedevidenceabouttheexactcorrelationbetweencertainqualificationsandskillsandbeinganeffectivesocialworker4.
1.14 Therearemanyexcellentcandidatesenteringandcompletingthesocialworkdegree.However,despitecurrentover-demandforsocialworkplaces,italsoappearsthatsomecourses(possiblyunderpressurefromtheirinstitutionstofillplaces)areacceptingpeoplenotsuitedtothedegreeortosocialwork.Inparticular,thereisacuteconcernthataminorityofthoseacceptedontocourseshavepoorskillsinliteracyorhavedifficultyin
3 Activepartnershipsofthiskindwouldreflecttheaspirationthatemployersandbusinessesbecome“activepartnerswithuniversities,notpassivecustomers”.SeeHigher Ambitions: the future of universities in a knowledge economy(BIS,2009).
4 Aparticularareaofcontroversyisthevarietyin‘A’levelandotherqualificationtariffpointsrequiredforentrytosocialworkcoursesandhowthesecomparetootherprofessionaltrainingrequirements.Duetothehighproportionofmaturecandidatesenteringsocialworkonly30%enterundertariffschemes.Afurther30%ofentrantstosocialworkalreadyhaveafirstdegree.Theremaining40%enterwithbasicrequirementsandthroughACCESStohighereducationprogrammeswhicharecurrentlyungraded.ThereisconsiderablevarietyinwhatdifferentHEIallowtomakeuptariffpoints.Somestipulate‘A’levelsonly;otherswillallowASlevel,GCSEs,qualificationsinunrelateddisciplines,etc.Recentresearchshowsanaveragepointsthresholdof250forsocialworkcourses.WheresimilarcoursesareofferedbytheHEI,pointsorAlevelgradesrequestedaregenerallyinlinewith(orhigherthan)requirementsforcoursessuchasnursingandmidwifery,butlowerthanthoserequiredforteaching,particularlyatthehighestrange.
![Page 18: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future18
analysingandconceptualising,andthattheylackthematurity,resilienceorlifeexperiencethatcontributetobecomingagoodsocialworker.
1.15 Selectionprocessesinuniversitiesvary,withsomeinnovativeapproachesbeingused5.However,theTaskForcebelievesthatcurrentarrangementsdonotgofarenoughtoensurethatallinstitutionsareassessingcandidatesrigorouslyenoughtoensuretheyhavetherightmixofintellectualandpersonalqualitiestosucceedassocialworkers.Wehavebeentoldthattheseproblemscancompoundoneanotherwithlessacademicallyablestudentsstrugglingwiththedemandsofthecollegeworkandbeingunabletoconcentrateonthelearningfromtheirplacementasaresult.
1.16 Employersandserviceusershaveanimportantroletoplayingettingtherightpeopleintosocialwork.WhilemostHEIalreadyinvolveemployersandserviceusersintheirselectionprocess(astheyarerequiredtodo),thewayinwhichtheydothisvariesandmaybeineffectiveinsomecases.
1.17 Moreattentionmustthereforebepaidtoensuringthosemostlikelytoexcelonthecourse,andentertheworkforceasconfident,competentpractitioners,areselectedforentrytothedegree.EvidenceandfeedbacktheTaskForcehasreceivedsuggeststhatthereisastrongcaseformoreresearchintotheattributesandcharacteristicsthatmakeforgoodsocialworkers.
Socialworkcourses:curriculum,deliveryandassessment
1.18 ThecurriculumforthesocialworkdegreeiscurrentlydeterminedthroughacombinationoftheQAAbenchmarkstandardsforsocialwork,theDepartmentofHealthrequirementsforsocialworktraining,andtheNationalOccupationalStandards.
1.19 Wehaveconcludedthatthecurrentrequirementsgoverningthecontentofthedegreearetoolooselydetermined.Theylackclarityandarenotwidelyunderstood.Thedegreeneedstobedeliveredwithgreaterconsistencyandagreaterfocusonlinkingtheorytopractice.Feedbackfromemployers,practitioners,practiceassessorsandfromindependentresearchstronglysuggeststhattherearecertainareasofknowledgeandskillswhicharenotbeingcoveredtotherightdepthinsocialworkinitialtraining.Theseinclude:assessmentframeworks;riskanalysis;communicationskills;managingconflictandhostility;workingwithotherprofessionals.Anunderstandingoftheresearch,legislationandpolicybasisforpracticeisalsoessential.Clearandsharedexpectationsofthesocialworkcurriculumareessential.Therightknowledgeandskillsmustbelearnttosufficientdepthtoprovideastrongfoundationforhighqualitypracticeandcontinuousdevelopmentthroughoutasocialworker’scareer.
1.20 Wealsorecognise,however,thatabalanceneedstobestruck.Educatorsneedroomtoinnovateindrivingupthequalityandrelevanceoftheircourses,andthecurriculummustremainresponsivetothechangingrealitiesofpractice.
5 Theseincludeopportunitiestoreflectonlifeexperience;extendedpersonalstatementstotestmotivation;writtenquestionsdrawnfromresearchregardingsafe/effectiverecruitment(e.g.retenacity,copingunderpressure,selfinrelationshipswithothers)andexams.
![Page 19: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 19
1.21 TheTaskForcehasbeenstronglypersuadedthatsocialworkshouldcontinuetobeservedbyagenericentryqualificationthatisrelevanttoworkinbothadultandchildren’ssectors,andthatsupportsmovementbetweenthetwo.Thisconclusionreflectsthemajorityviewwehaveencounteredthroughourconsultationandevidencegathering.
1.22 Agoodgenericdegreecourseshouldenableallstudentstodeveloptheknowledge,skillsandvaluesinworkingholisticallyandsafelywiththewholerangeofindividuals,familiesandcommunitieswheresocialworkisneeded.Splittingthedegreewouldbedestabilisingandimpractical.Itwouldrequirestudentstomakedecisionsabouttheirfuturedirectionbeforetheymaybereadyto.Thefragilityoftheprofessionwouldbeincreasedratherthanreducedbypotentiallycostlyandhighlytime-consumingseparation.
1.23 However,theTaskForcealsounderstandstheargumentsithasheardforgreaterspecialistinputtothedegree,whichismadeinparticularbythoseresponsiblefordeliveringservicesforchildrenandfamilies.Webelievethatthiscanandmustbeachievedthroughtheimprovementswearerecommendingtothedegree(includingpracticeplacements),coupledwiththenewopportunitiestodevelopmorespecialisedexpertiseofferedbytheassessedyearinpracticeproposedbelow.
1.24 Wealsostronglysupporttheviewthatacademicstaffneedtokeepuptodatewithwhatishappeninginthefield.Therehavebeenbenefitsfromjointappointments,secondmentsandsharedresearch.Universitiesshouldalsocontinuouslyengagewithpeoplewithexpertisethathasabearingonthepracticeofsocialwork–forinstance,serviceusers,judges,lawyers,psychiatristsandstafffromthirdsectororganisations–sothattheycanhelptoraisetheoveralllevelofsocialworkeducation.Goodexamplesofthisapproachexist,buttheyarecurrentlyhardtofundandmaintain.
1.25 Despitethisneedforuniversitiestostayinformedaboutwhatishappeninginfrontlinesocialworkandsharethiswithstudents,strongconcernshavebeenexpressedtotheTaskForceaboutthecalibreofsomelecturersandtutors.Theseconcernstouchon,inparticular,theirunderstandingofhowtheoryisappliedinpracticeandofthecurrentrealitiesoffrontlinesocialwork.Educatorsneedtoshareintherealchallengesposedinservicedeliveryandavoidanytemptationtocriticisefromthesidelines.
1.26 Universitiesshouldhelpstudentsdevelopastrongappreciationoftheneedforcontinuousprofessionaldevelopmenttotakeintotheirfuturecareers;andoftheimportanceofevidence,withawillingnesstobothuseandcontributetoresearch.Studentsthemselvesneed,throughtakingthedegree,tobegindevelopingintosocialworkerswhoreflectcriticallyonwhattheydoandthedecisionstheymake.Thisisalreadyhappeningwhereprovisionisgood.Itneedstobecomemorewidespread.
1.27 Finally,allHEIneedtorecognisethevitalparttheyhavetoplayinmakingsurethatpeoplewhouseservicesreceivethehighqualitysocialworktheyneedanddeserve.ItisessentialthereforethatHEIhaverobustassessmentmechanismstoensurethatonlythosewhoaresuitableforpracticepasstheircourse.
![Page 20: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future20
Practiceplacements
1.28 Socialworkneedsacultureinwhichprofessionalsandemployerstakeseriouslytheirresponsibilityfordevelopingthefuturegenerationofworkers(inasimilarwaytootherprofessions,suchasmedicine).Highqualitypracticeplacementsareavitalpartofhowstudentsdeveloptheknowledge,skillsandvaluesthatwillallowthemtoworkwithserviceusers,safelyandeffectively6.Theyneedtobeactivelymanagedsothatthebalanceisrightbetweenteachingandlearning,andbetweentheapplicationoftheoryandskillsdevelopment.Currently,studentsarerequiredtoundertakeatleast200daysinassessedpracticeintwodifferentsettingsandwithatleasttwoserviceusergroups.Theyshouldalsohavesomeexperienceofundertakingstatutorysocialworktasks.
1.29 Attheirbest,practiceplacementsgivestudentsopportunitiestolearndirectlyfromthemostcompetentandexperiencedpractitioners.Studentscancontributetothelearningenvironmentoftheirplacementagencybyofferingnewideasandenthusiasm.Theygetthechancetounderstandatfirsthandfromserviceusershowsocialworkerscanmakearealdifference.Placementsalsoprovideanimportantsourceoffuturerecruitmentforemployers.
1.30 However,concernsareuniversallyexpressedthatmanystudentsareexperiencingplacementswhichdonotallowthemtolearnwhattheyneed.Placementsmay,forinstance,lackhighqualitysupervision,guidanceandassessment.Studentsaresometimestaughtandassessedbynon-socialworkers.Somearebeingpassedwhoarenotcompetentorsuitableforfrontlinesocialwork.Othersareunabletofindjobsduetotheirpoorpracticeexperience.
Regulationandstandards
1.31 Regulationisoneofthemostimportantleversforimprovingthequalityofsocialworkeducation.Thequalityassuranceofsocialworkdegreecoursesiscurrentlydelegatedtouniversitiesunderarrangementsestablishedwhenthedegreewasintroduced.Ithascontinuedtoevolveinthelightofthegovernment’sbetterregulationprinciples.Thishasledtoa‘lighttouch’systemofregulationand,inretrospect,theleversthatdoexisthavenotbeenusedvigorouslyenough.Currentlythereistoomuchvariationintheselectionprocesses,andinthequalityandconsistencyofthecoursesthemselves.
1.32 Thedegreeisalsocurrentlyfoundedonstandardsandrequirementssetbydifferentbodies,whichareconfusingandlacktransparency.Assuch,theyprovideweakleversforaconcertedefforttodriveupthequalityofsocialworkeducation.
6 Nationalstandardsforthequalityassuranceofpracticelearninghaverecentlybeendevelopedandendorsed.Seewww.skillsforcare.org.uksocialwork/practicelearning/sw_national_projects.aspx.Useofthistoolwillbecomemandatoryforthe2009/2010academicyear.HEIwillhavetoreporttoGSCCandthisinformationwillbemadeavailabletostudentsthroughpublicationofreportsontheGSCCwebsite.
![Page 21: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 21
Supply
1.33 WedonothaveasystemforanalysingorforecastingtheoveralldemandforandsupplyofsocialworkersinEngland,andtheimplicationsthishasforeducationandtraining.ThisissueisdealtwithmorefullyinChapter6.
1.34 Thedegreehasprovidedaplatformforfurtherimprovementofsocialworkeducation.However,theshortcomingssetoutabovearenotsimplyteethingproblemsofthekindthatcanoccurduringtherolloutofanymajorreform.Unlesstheyareaddressed,theywillunderminethesuccessofthedegreeinthelongterm,andimpairthesupplyofnewsocialworkersreadyfortheopportunitiesanddemandsoffrontlinepractice.
Recommendations1.35 Throughourrecommendationsforlongtermreform,wewishthereforetohelp
consolidatethegainsmadebytheintroductionofthedegree,butalsotostimulatesomefundamentalchangestoinitialtraining,intheinterestsofproducingafullyeffectivefrontlineworkforce,readyforandcommittedtocontinuouslearningandimprovement.
Recommendation 1: Calibre of Entrants
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthatcriteriagoverningthecalibreofentrantstosocialworkeducationandtrainingbestrengthened.
1.36 Therevisedcriteriaforallapplicantstoallinitialdegreecoursesshouldinclude
●● successfulcompletionofawrittentest,whichmeasurestheclarityofwriting,logicalcoherenceandthecapacityfordevelopingreflectiveandanalyticalthinking
●● highperformanceinselectioninterviewswhichevaluatethelifeandworkexperienceofcourseapplicants,theircommunicationskills,creativityandemotionalresilience,reinforcingthecurrentrequirements7
1.37 Wewouldalsoproposethat
●● HEIapplyingentrythresholdsbelowthenationalaverageforsocialwork(whereentrytodegreecoursesisbasedonUCASpoints)8shouldraisetheirthreshold
●● allcandidatesshouldgiveevidenceoftheircompetenceinEnglishandMaths(throughatleastgradeCoraboveatGCSEoranequivalentqualification)
1.38 RegulationshouldensurethatthesecriteriaareappliedconsistentlyandfairlyandinlinewithgovernmentambitionssetoutinUnleashing Aspirations andtherecentHigher Ambitions report9.
7 CurrentrequirementsspecifythatalongsidecriteriasetbyeachHEI,allentrantsmust:haveappropriatepersonalandintellectualqualities,havecompletedanindividualorgroupinterview;haveachievedatleastKeySkillslevel2inEnglishandMathsandcommunicateclearlyandaccuratelyinspokenandwrittenEnglish.
8 Currently250.9 Higher Ambitions, the future of universities in a knowledge economyBIS,2009.
![Page 22: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future22
1.39 TheTaskForcehasheardconcernsthatsomepeoplewhowouldmakeexcellentsocialworkersmightbeexcludedfromsocialworktrainingiftheacademiccriteriaarestrengthened10.Webelievethattheanswertothisliesnotinloweringcapabilityrequirementsbutinofferingpracticalassistanceandencouragementtosuitablepotentialcandidatesinmeetingtherequirementsforentrytothedegreecourse.Wheretheseroutesmaintainthenecessarystandards,theTaskForcesupportsschemessuchasGrowYourOwnandtheOpenUniversity–UNISONcourses,whichsupportandenablestafftodevelopsothattheycanundertakethelevelofacademiceducationandtrainingdemandedbysocialwork.Exitroutestoalternative,lowerlevelornon-qualifyingcoursesshouldbeavailableinallprogrammestoenablethosewhoarenotcompetentorsuitabletopractiseassocialworkerstocompleteacourseinrelatedareas.
1.40 Currently75%percentofnewsocialworkersqualifythroughtheundergraduatetrainingdegree.However,theTaskForcehasalsoheardthatmanyemployersprefertoofferplacementstoandemploythosewhohaveachievedtheirqualificationatMasterslevel.Mindfulofthisandinordertobettersupportcareerprogression,wewouldencourageexpansionoftheMastersqualificationforthosewhoholdappropriatedegrees11.
Recommendation 2: Curriculum and Delivery
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsanoverhaulofthecontentanddeliveryofsocialworkdegreecourses.
1.41 Thisprocessforoverhaulingcurrentarrangementsshould besetoutbytheGovernmentassoonaspossibleandoverseenthroughtheproposednationalreformprogrammeforsocialwork(seeChapter6).Theoverhaulshouldleadto
●● acurriculumbasedonjointlyagreedoutcomestandardsforthesocialworkdegreewiththesestandardsexplicitlytiedtorobustassessmentprocesses
●● systemsforensuringthateveryonewhodesignsanddeliverssocialworkcoursesareuptodatewithcurrentknowledge,policyandpractice
1.42 Theregulatorofsocialworkeducationwillhaveanimportantroletoplayintakingamorerobustapproachtoensuringthatrequirementsaremet,thatthecurriculumiskeptuptodateandthatemployersandserviceusersareengagedinitsdesignanddelivery.
1.43 TheTaskForcebelievesthatastrongerandmoreconsistentfocusonthecontentandqualityofthedegreewillensurethat,bythetimestudentscompletetheircourses,theywillbeequippedwiththeknowledge,legislativecontextandtoolsrequiredforinitialworkwitheitherchildrenoradults.Theywillalsobepreparedformorespecialistlearningduringtheirassessedyearinemployment(seebelow)andthroughouttheirsubsequentcareer.
10Currently,90%ofthosestudyingforsocialworkdegreesaredoingsothroughfulltime,collegebasedcourses.11SeeDCSF/CWDCGraduateRecruitmentSchemeandStepUptoSocialWorkProgramme.
![Page 23: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 23
Recommendation 3: Practice Placements
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthatnewarrangementsbeputinplacetoprovidesufficienthighqualitypracticeplacements,whichareproperlysupervisedandassessed,forallsocialworkstudents.
1.44 Thedevelopmentofthesenewarrangementsshouldbeoverseenbytheboardsupportingthenationalreformprogrammeforsocialwork.Theyshouldincludethefollowingelements.
Formal sharing of accountability and responsibility
●● ResponsibilityforsecuringtheprovisionofpracticelearningshouldnotfalltoHEIalone.ItshouldbeasharedresponsibilityandthefocusofactivepartnershipsbetweenemployersandHEI–withformalguidanceprovidedonthebestapproachestobuildingthesepartnershipslocally.Partnershipsshouldtakeresponsibilityfortheallocationandauditofplacementopportunities,basedonthebestpossibleinformationaboutsupplyanddemand;andexplorethepotentialforservicelevelagreementswherethesearenotalreadyinplace.
Advanced teaching organisations
●● Wesetoutabovetheimportanceofpracticeplacementsinthedevelopmentofsocialworkers.Bestpracticeinthisareashouldberecognised,encouragedandwidelyadopted.Wewouldliketoseetheintroductionofthestatusofadvancedteachingorganisation,tiedtofinancialrewardsandincentivesandawardedtoagencieswhodemonstrateexpertiseandatrackrecordinprovidinggoodqualitypracticeplacements.
Placement criteria
●● Mechanismsshouldbeintroducedtomakesurethatallstudentseventuallybenefitfromatleastoneplacementinalocalauthority,mentalhealthtrustornationalorganisationundertakingstatutorywork,wheresocialworkersareemployedandwherecaseaccountabilityrestswiththeagency.12
12WorkcurrentlyunderwaythroughtheSocialWorkDevelopmentPartnershiptoclearlydefineanddevelopactionplansfortheimprovedprovisionofstatutoryplacementsshouldbecompletedandbuiltupon.NationalorganisationsundertakingstatutoryworkincludeNSPCCandCAFCASS.
![Page 24: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future24
New funding arrangements
●● Fundingtosupportplacementorganisation,allocationanddeliveryiscurrentlyprovidedthroughtheDepartmentofHealth’sEducationSupportGrant,distributedbytheGSCC.Thesearrangementsshouldberevisedtoensurethatfundingprovidesthemosteffectivemeansforsecuringhighqualityplacementsforallstudents.Revisedfundingarrangementsshouldensure:dedicatedsupportforplacementorganisationandallocation;supporttopracticeeducatorsindevotingtimetostudents;andincentivesforthedevelopmentofadvancedteachingagencies.
Assessment standards
●● Thepracticeeducatorshouldberecognisedasaspecificandseniorrolewithinthenationallyrecognisedcareerstructureforsocialworkersproposedelsewhereinthisreport(seeChapter3).Employersshouldensurethattheysupportstafftodeveloptheseskillsaspartoftheirresponsibilityforinvestinginthenextgenerationofsocialworkersandforsupportingallsocialworkersintheiron-goinglearninganddevelopment.
●● Definitivestandardsareneededforthosewhoteachandassesssocialworkstudentsonplacement13.Whileotherprofessionalsmayhelpfullycontributetothelearningofstudentsonplacementandprovidefeedback,allsocialworkstudentsshouldinfutureonlybetaughtandassessedbyqualifiedandexperiencedsocialworkers.
●● Adate shouldbesetforensuringthat,assoonaspossible,allthosewhotakeresponsibilityforthesupervisionandassessmentofasocialworkstudentintheirfinalplacementholdacurrentpracticeteachingawardorhavedemonstratedtheircompetenceagainstagreednationalstandards,withthesetobefinallydeterminedbytheboardoverseeingthereformprogramme.
Placement days
1.45 Seriousconsiderationshouldbegiventoreducingtheminimumnumberofplacementdaystobeundertakenwithinthesocialworkdegreefrom200 tonolessthan130.Suchareductionwouldhelpto
●● releasemoretimetodeliverimportantelementsofthecurriculumwhichmaynotbecurrentlycoveredsufficiently
●● ensureasharperfocusonwhattheplacementismeanttoachieveintermsofthestudent’slearninganddevelopment
●● enableallstudentstohavebetterqualityplacements
1.46 Studentsshouldcontinuetogainpracticeexperienceandlearningintwopracticesettingswithtwodifferentserviceusergroups.
1.47 Whilethiswouldentailadecreaseinthenumberofplacementdayswithinthedegree,theintroductionoftheassessedyearinemploymentwhichwearealsorecommending
13DraftnationalstandardshavebeendevelopedforpracticeeducationbytheSocialWorkDevelopmentPartnershipandcorefundinghasbeenallocatedtopilothowthesemaybeachieved.
![Page 25: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 25
(seebelow)wouldseeasignificantincreaseintheamountoftimestudentsspendinpracticebeforebecominglicensedsocialworkers.
Recommendation 4: Assessed Year In Employment
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthecreationofanassessedandsupportedyearinemploymentasthefinalstageinbecomingasocialworker.
1.48 Theassessedyearinemploymentwouldhavetobesuccessfullycompletedbeforeafulllicencetopractise(seeChapter6)couldbegrantedforthefirsttime.Degreeholderswouldneedtoobtainemploymentwithalocalauthority(orotherappropriateorganisationsuchasNSPCC,CAFCASSorthirdsectororganisations)toundertaketheirassessedandsupportedyearinemployment.
1.49 Theywouldbringwiththemformalrecordsofwhattheyhadachievedatuniversity14inordertoensurecontinuityoflearning.AssessmentshouldbecarriedoutjointlybyemployersandHEI,withfeedbackfromserviceuserstakenintoaccount.Theconsequencesofnotmeetingthecompetences–i.e.notbeingeligibleforfulllicencetopractiseandnotthereforebeingabletocontinueemploymentasasocialworker–wouldneedtobemadeclearfromtopeoplejoiningdegreecoursesandagainwhentheyareabouttoembarkontheassessedyear.
1.50 Detailedrequirementsgoverningtheassessedyearinemploymentshouldbedeterminedthroughthenationalprogrammeforsocialworkreformandtheboardoverseeingit.Optionstoexploreinclude
●● fixedentitlementsto
– timeforreflection,study,learning,contactwithmentors
– goodqualitysupervision
– accesstoresearchliteratureandtrainingopportunities
– goodqualityICT
– amanagedandbalancedcase-load
●● opportunitiesforshadowingandco-workingwithmoreexperiencedstafftolearnonthejobandgraduallytotakeonmorecomplexworkindependently;andforexperienceacrossdifferentsectionsoftheagencyorpartneragenciesinthearea
●● formaltrainingcontractcoveringentitlementsandresponsibilitiesduringtheassessedyearinemployment
1.51 NQSWschemesrecentlyintroducedacrosstheprofessionhavebeenwelcomedasafirststepinprovidingmuchneededsupport,continuingdevelopmentandprotectedcaseloads
14Forinstance,thetranscriptandPersonalDevelopmentPlan(PDP)withwhichalluniversitystudentsrecordthelearninganddevelopmenttheyhavecompletedthroughouttheircourse;andalsotheTransitionalPDPintheNQSWframeworkforadultservices.
![Page 26: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future26
forsocialworkerstakinguptheirfirstpost15.Theyarealsohelpingmanagerstosupervisemoreeffectively.Thisproposalshouldbuildonthesedevelopmentsbyintroducinganationalassessmentframeworkthatiscredible,transparentandfair,withbuiltinmoderationandappealsprocesses. ThisshouldbedesignedtofitinwiththeemergingcareerstructureacrosstheprofessionasdescribedinChapter3.
1.52 Theassessedyearinemploymentwillprovideanimportantopportunityfornewsocialworkerstodevelopexperienceandexpertiseinchildren’soradultservices,buildingontheimprovedgroundingprovidedbythedegreeandcreatingasolidplatformforfurthercareerlongdevelopment.Itshouldalsohelporganisationstostrengthentheirowncultureandpracticeinsupportingcareer-longlearning.Althoughtheassessedyearinemploymentwillallowthedevelopmentofmorespecialistexpertise,wealsobelievethatgoodcollaborationbetweenchildren’sandadultservicesdepartmentsinlocalauthorities,onbothpracticeplacementsandtheassessedyearinemployment,wouldenrichthetrainingexperience.
1.53 Thereshouldberoomforemployerstorespondininnovativewaystotheambitionsfortheirroleinimprovingsocialworkeducationsetoutinthisreport.Thiscouldincludenewtypesofcollaborationbetweenemployerssuchasformingjointunits,specialistsettingsforteachingsocialworkersandstrongercollaborativesforresearchanddevelopment.
Recommendation 5: Regulation of Social Work Education
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsmoretransparentandeffectiveregulationofsocialworkeducationtogivegreaterassuranceofconsistencyandquality.
1.54 Theregimeforregulatingsocialworkeducationshouldensureproportionateregulation,targetingweakcourseprovidersandencouragingthebest.Theregulatorshouldbeauthorisedandresourcedto
●● ensuresocialworkcoursesareproperlyinspectedagainstanewsetofstandardsintheinterestsofconsistent,highqualityprovisionacrossthecountry
●● takearobustapproachtoensuringthat:thecontentofcoursesiskeptuptodatewiththechangingdemandsoffrontlinepractice;thatorganisersandteachersofsocialworkcoursesareuptodatewithcurrentknowledge,policyandpractice;andthatexpertpractitioners,serviceusers,employersandotherprofessionalsareconsistentlyandsubstantiallyinvolvedinthedesignanddeliveryofcourses
●● ensurethatcriteriaforentrancetocoursesandsuitabilityforentryintotheworkforcearemetthroughassessment16
15SeeSkillsforCareandChildren’sWorkforceDevelopmentCouncilwebsites.16TakingaccountalsooftheUnleashing Aspirations andHigher Ambitions reportspublishedbytheDepartmentforBusiness,
InnovationandSkills.
![Page 27: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 27
1.55 Newregulationarrangementswilltaketimetoimplementandmustbeproperlyresourced.Inthemeantime,theTaskForcewelcomestheworkthattheGeneralSocialCareCouncil(GSCC)hasdonetoconsiderhowitcanstrengthenqualityassuranceofcourses,undertheexistingrules17.Theseinclude:publicationofannualmonitoringandre-approvalreportsonsocialworkcourses;theprovisionofclearinformationaboutqualityforthepublicandpotentialstudents;targetedvisitstoprovidersandplacementswhereprovisionmaybeweak;mechanismsforbringingtogetherevidencegaineddirectlyfromstudents,employers,serviceusersandcarerswithevidencefromformalmonitoring;increasingtheinvolvementofserviceusersandcarersinhowcoursesareregulated;andmonitoringcoursesmorecloselytoensurethatHEIhaveappropriatestaffingandresources,includingplacements,toofferhighqualitysocialworkeducation.TheTaskForcebelievesthatGSCCshouldimplementthesemeasuresassoonaspossible.
A note on funding
1.56 Thereiscurrentlysignificantfundingprovidedbygovernmenttosupportthesocialworkdegree,including£70millionfortheprovisionofbursaries,and£32.5millionforplacementfundinganddevelopment.
1.57 Thecurrentbursaryarrangementshavebeensuccessfulinencouragingincreasednumbersofapplicantstosocialworkcourses.Theseincentivesnowneedtobereviewedtopromoteapplicationsfrompeopleofsufficientlyhighquality,andtoencouragecompletionofdegreecourses,entrytoandretentionintheworkforce.
1.58 Webelievethatgovernmentshouldreviewfundingarrangementstoprovideincentivesforhighqualityentrantstothesocialworkprofessionandtoensurehighqualityplacementsaremadeavailabletoallstudents.
17TheGSCCbeganreviewingitsregulatorymodelsandframeworkinMarch2008.Asaresultofthesignificantpolicychangesinbothsocialworkandinregulatorypractice,theGSCCnowbelievesthatthemodelofregulationusedtoinspectuniversitiesneedstobestrengthenedandthatamorerigorousregimewithinterventionsbasedonriskshouldbeintroduced.SomeinterventionswillrequireagreementbyMinistersbeforechangescanbemade.
![Page 28: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future28
Chapter 2: Time, Resources and Support
SummaryTheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommends clear,universalandbindingstandardsforemployers.
Thesewouldcoverhowfrontlinesocialworkshouldberesourced,managedandsupported–includingclearrequirementsgoverningsupervision–sothathighqualitypracticeisanachievableaimforallsocialworkers.Employersprovidingasocialworkserviceshouldberequiredtoassesstheirperformanceagainstthestandard,takethisthroughtheirinternalreviewprocess,publishtheresults –includinginformationonthecaseloadceilingsorcontrolstheyareoperating–andsetouttheirplansforimprovement.Wearepublishinganinitialframeworktohelpwithactionnowinassessingthe“health”oforganisationsontherangeofissuesaffectingworkload.
Wearealsorecommendingthecreationofadedicatedprogrammeoftrainingandsupportformanagersoffrontlinesocialworkers.
2.1 Inourinterimreport,wesetoutourfindingsaboutthetoolsandsupportthatsocialworkersneedtobeeffective,fulfiltheirresponsibilities,andmeetexpectations.
2.2 Weidentifiedthreekeyareasinwhichthenatureanddemandsofsocialworkmeanthatsocialworkersareparticularlydependentonhavingtherightformsofsupportaroundthem.
●● Practicalconditions,including
– theworkingenvironment–especiallyonethatallowssocialworkerstomeettheneedforconfidentialityandsensitivityinherentintheirjob
– ICTsystemsandequipment–whichallowsocialworkerstocarryoutthevitaltasksofrecordkeepinganddatasharingsafelyandefficiently,andwhichallowthemtoinformandinfluencetheintroductionofnewsystems,sothatthesesuittheirneedsandtheneedsofgoodsocialwork
– time–unlesspractitionershaveenoughtimetobringtheirprofessionalskillstobear,tocarryouttheanalysisandreflectionthatleadtogoodjudgement,theimpactofincreasingotherresourceswillbelimited
![Page 29: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 29
●● Professionalsupport:supervisionisanintegralelementofsocialworkpracticenotanadd-on.Throughitsocialworkersreviewtheirdaytodaypracticeanddecisionmaking,plantheirlearninganddevelopmentasprofessionals,andworkthroughtheconsiderableemotionalandpersonaldemandsthejoboftenplacesonthem
●● Accesstoknowledgeandevidence,withinformationonestablishedpractice,policyandresearcheasilyavailableforfrontlinesocialworkerstorefertoastheyanalysesituations,makejudgementsandcometodecisions
2.3 Itisakeyresponsibilityofemployerstoputinplacetheconditionsinwhichwelltrainedprofessionalscanbeeffectiveanddeliverhighqualityservices.Thepressuresandriskassociatedwithsocialworkneedtobefullyunderstoodandmanagedatthemostsenior(andhighestpaid)levelsoftheorganisation–andnot,ascansometimesseemtobethecase,absorbedbyfrontlinestaffandtheirimmediatemanagers.
Workload
2.4 Weareinnodoubtthattoomanysocialworkersarecarryingcaseloadswhichcanbetoohighandmakeithardforthemtodotheirjobwell.Thereisverystrongevidencethattheabsenceofeffectivemanagementofworkloadmakespractitionersfeelde-skilled,lowerstheirmoraleandcanleadtopoorhealth18.
2.5 Inthesecircumstances,serviceuserscanendupwithapatchy,unreliableservice.Incasesofseriousrisk,thejudgementanddecisionmakingofsocialworkerscanbeimpaired.
2.6 However,whileconcernaboutcaseloadsizeiswidespread,itisalsocleartousthattheimpositionofasingleceilingoncaseloadsizewouldbeinappropriateandwouldnotsucceed.Amongthosewhoargueforsuchaceiling,wehavefoundadisparaterangeofviewsaboutwhereitshouldbeset.ThefeedbacktheTaskForcehasreceivedfromorganisationsthathavetriedtoimplementformalcaseloadmanagementsystems(includingweightedsystems)suggeststhattheystruggletocopewithallofthevariablesaffectingpracticeonthefrontline.Moreover,caseloadmanagementsystemsoftendonotincludetimeforprofessionaldevelopmentandsupervisiontailoredtothepositionofeachpractitioner,reinforcingtheperceptionthatthesearean“addon”torealwork,ratherthananessentialpartofthesocialworktask.
2.7 Over1100socialworkerscontributedtoadiaryandsurveyexerciseconductedearlierthisyearonbehalfoftheTaskForce.Thesampleincludedsocialworkersinchildren’sandadultservicesin29differentlocalauthoritiesandsomeinthevoluntaryandindependentsectors.Thetablesbelowshowinitialfindingsoncaseloads.(Thefullreportwillbepublishedinearly2010).
18Forinstance,studiesintothecausesofchilddeathsfoundthatpoormanagementsupportandpoorprocesshadanegativeimpactonhealthandledtoabsenteeismandstress.
![Page 30: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future30
Active cases held by those working in Adult Services Departments
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
No.
of
soci
al w
orke
rs
No. of cases held
04%
Up to 54%
6–1017%
11–1519%
16–2023%
21–2512%
26–306%
31–404%
41–501%
51–600%
61–1001%
>100<1%
No info25%
Active cases held by those working in Children’s Services Departments
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
No.
of
soci
al w
orke
rs
No. of cases held
04%
Up to 54%
6–1017%
11–1519%
16–2023%
21–2512%
26–306%
31–404%
41–501%
51–600%
61–1001%
>100<1%
No info25%
2.8 Oursurveyalsofoundthat49%ofrespondentsworkedmorethantheircontractedhourswith9%workingconsiderablymorethanoneextraworkingday.
2.9 Throughthesurveyandothersources,wehavebeenabletounderstandmanyofthefactorsthathaveabearingonhowcaseloadscomparableinsizecanneverthelessdifferinthedemandstheyplaceonsocialworkers.Thesevariablesinclude:thequalificationsandexperienceofsocialworkersconcernedandthesupervisiontheyarereceiving;asocial
![Page 31: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 31
worker’sothernon-caserelatedresponsibilities(e.g.maintaininglinkswithoutsideagencies);numberofhoursworkedweekly;thecharacteristicsofthepopulationserved;thecomplexityofindividualcasesandtheintensivenessofactionneededatdifferentpoints;variationintheadministrativeandpracticalburdensofdifferentcases(e.g.travel,timeincourt,recordingrequirements,professionalmeetings);localpracticeinmanaginglessactivecasesandinhowcasesareclassifiedandcounted(e.g.countingfamiliesascasesorcountingindividualswithinfamilies);widerworkforceplanningandhowworkisshared(ornot)withcolleaguesoutsidetheimmediateteamandservice;andtheimpactoftemporaryabsencethrough,forinstance,illness.
2.10 Theskillsandawarenessoflinemanagersinbalancingallofthesefactorsarepivotaltocaseloadmanagement.Wehaveheardhowgoodmanagersmakecontinuousjudgementsaboutcaseloads,sometimesrunninginformalsystemswhichtheykeepunderreviewandwhichcanbeadaptedtochangingteamcircumstances.Theyavoidamechanisticapproachandhavetheconfidencetoescalateproblemswithworkloadtoseniormanagerswhennecessary.
2.11 Ourevidencesuggeststhatitisthelackofawholesystemapproachtomanagingallofthepressuresonworkload–ratherthanthelackofasinglecaseloadlimit–thatishavingadetrimentaleffectonsocialworkpractice.
Supervision
2.12 Throughsupervision,socialworkersreviewtheirpracticeanddealwiththechallengesandstressesarisingfromtheirwork;andmanagerscangettounderstandthecurrentcapabilitiesofthepractitioner,helpingtheminturntoallocatecasesappropriately.Supervisionalsoprovidesanopportunitytoconsidermattersnotdirectlyconnectedwithworkloadorthejobwhichmayneverthelessbeimpactingonhowwellasocialworkerisperforming.Inshort,highqualityreflectivesupervisionisessentialtoachievingafairandbalancedworkload.
2.13 Inourinterimreport,weidentifiedthethreemainspecificfunctionsofsupervision.
●● LineManagement–thisincludesmanagingteamresources,delegationandworkloadmanagement,performanceappraisal,dutyofcare,supportandotherpeople-managementprocesses
●● Professional(orcase)supervision–reflectingonandrespondingtothechallengingquestionsthrownupbypracticeandcases,includingimplicationsforthepractitioner’swelfareorsafety;reviewingtherolesthepractitioneristakingonandtheirrelationswiththeserviceuserandwithotherprofessionals;evaluatingtheimpactofactionsanddecisions;andcapturingwhatcanbelearntforthefuturefromdaytodaypractice
●● Continuingprofessionaldevelopment – ensuringsocialworkersaredevelopingtheskills,knowledgeandexperiencetodotheirjobwellandmakeprogressintheircareers.Observationofpracticeandconstructivefeedbackshouldbepartoftheprocess.
![Page 32: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future32
2.14 However,surveyscontinuetoshowthattoomanysocialworkersdonotgetaccesstothistypeofsupervision.Asaresult,theyfeelthattheiroriginalskillsarestagnatingandtheyarenotacquiringnewones.Theybecomereluctanttothinkcriticallyorcreativelyaboutthejudgmentstheyneedtomakeandfallbackonamoremechanisticapproachtotheirwork.Theycanbegintoquestiontheirowneffectivenessandexperience‘burnout’throughacombinationofheavyworkloadsandlowsupport.
Managers
2.15 Itisclearfromwhatwehavelearntaboutbothworkloadandsupervisionthatskilledandconfidentfrontlinemanagersareessentialtogoodfrontlinesocialwork.
2.16 Wehaveheardaboutexcellentpracticeinmanagementandsupervision.However,wearealsoconcernedabouttheoverallqualityandconsistencyoffrontlinemanagement,andthepressuresunderwhichmanagersandsupervisorsareworking,onanumberofcounts.
●● Professionalsupervision(seeabove)isofteninadequatebecauselinemanagersdonothaveaccesstotraininganddevelopmenttohelpthemtocarryitoutwell.Evenwheretrainingisavailable,managersareoftentoobusyonceinposttotakeitup.
●● Itisrareforthetrainingofferedtofrontlinemanagerstofocusonhowtheysupportpractitionersinbecomingresilientindealingwiththeemotionalimpactofthework,oronhowtheymanagetheperformanceofstaff.Inbothareas,managersreportfeelinginadequatelyprepared.
●● Timepressuresonmanagers,andhighnumbersofstaffreportingtothemwithoutanymethodformitigatingthis,resultinaneedtofocusnarrowlyontasksandprocesses,andonmeetingindicators,attheexpenseofconcentratingonoutcomesforserviceusersandthequalityofservice.
Recommendations
Recommendation 6: Standard for Employers
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthedevelopmentofaclearnationalstandardforthesupportsocialworkersshouldexpectfromtheiremployersinordertodotheirjobseffectively.
2.17 Thisstandardshouldbeagreedthroughthenationalprogrammeforsocialworkreformproposedelsewhereinthisreport(seeChapter6).Itshouldprovideclearguidelineson
●● howworkforcelevelscanbemanagedandneedspredicted–includinghowtheserelatetodeliveringagoodservice,takingaccountofthesizeofthelocalpopulation,levelsofdisadvantageandotherfactorsthatinfluenceneedanddemand
●● howworkflowcanbemanaged–includingpracticeincaseallocationandassessingriskscausedbyunallocatedcaseswithaviewtoestablishingandkeepingunderreviewlocalcaseloadceilingsfordifferentteamsandservices
![Page 33: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 33
●● provisionofsupervisionatindividualandteamlevel19
●● meetingtheneedsofpractitionersinrelationtotheirsafetyandwelfare
●● practicaltoolsandconditions–includingtechnology,administrativesupportandtheworkingenvironment
●● accesstoresearchandpracticeguidancewhetherthrough:organisationsledbythesectoritself;tailoredsupportfromexternalexpertsinresearchandevidence;ornationalbodies20continuouslysiftingtheevidencebaseandrelayingthemostusefulinformationtothefieldasawholeineasilyformatsthatareeasytofindanduse
●● practiceawarenessamonglocalleaders,directorsandmanagersincluding
– knowledgeofandaccountabilityforthestrengthsandweaknessesofsocialworkintheirarea,andtherealitiesoffrontlinepractice,fromthepointsofviewofpractitionersandserviceusers
– thepresenceofaseniormanagerwhoisalsoaqualifiedsocialworkerandwhooverseestheoverallhealthofprofessionalsocialworkintheorganisation;advisesitonhowthestandardforemployerscanbeupheld;andisaccessibletofrontlinestaff21.(Thismanagerwouldalsobethepersonwhooverseestheframeworkproposedbelowforassessingofthe“health”oftheirorganisationonarangeofissuesaffectingworkload.)
2.18 Werecommendthatallemployersprovidingasocialworkserviceshouldberequiredtoassesstheirperformanceagainstthestandard,takethisthroughtheirinternalreviewprocess,publishtheresults(includinginformationonthecaseloadceilingsorcontrolstheyareoperating), andsetouttheirplansforimprovement.
2.19 Employersshouldeventuallybeabletoreceiveagradedkitemarkaward,recognisingtheirsuccessinmeetingthestandard,andtoseetheirsuccessorfailureinmeetingthestandardreflectedininspectionjudgements.
2.20 If,induecourse,voluntaryadoptionofthestandarddoesnotleadtotangibleimprovementinthepracticalandprofessionalresourcesavailabletofrontlinesocialworkers,thegovernmentshouldgiveconsiderationtodirectinterventioninstatutoryagenciesfallingshortofthestandard.
2.21 Webelievestronglythatemployerscanstarttotakeactionnowtoimprovethesupporttheyprovidetofrontlinesocialworkersinmanagingtheirworkload,andinpreparationfortherolloutofthefullstandard.Werecommendthedevelopmentintheshorttermofatoolthatcanbeusedatteam,serviceandorganisationleveltodeterminehowwellworkflowsandworkloadsarebeingmanagedandwhich,induecourse,canformthebasisfordevelopingthestandard.
19ResponsestotheSocialWorkTaskForceworkloadsurveyhighlightwidespreadofinformalsupervisionwithinteamsandbetweenpeerswhichishighlyvaluedbymanysocialworkers.
20SuchasSCIE(SocialCareInstituteforExcellence).21ThisrolemighthaveelementssimilartothoseoftherolegiventoChiefSocialWorkOfficersinScotland.
![Page 34: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future34
2.22 AtAnnexA,wearepresentinganinitialframeworkforhelpingemployersandpractitionerstotakeactionnowinassessingthe“health”oftheirorganisationonarangeofissuesaffectingworkload.Thisframeworkshoulddevelopedfurtherinduecourseinsupportoftheproposedstandardforemployers.
LearningthelessonsfromICS
Effectiveinformationtechnologyisacriticalpartofthesupportemployersshouldputinplaceforsocialworkers.
TheTaskForcehaspreviouslyadvisedthattheIntegratedChildren’sSystem(ICS)shouldbereformedsothatitsupportseffectiverecord-keepingandcase-managementbysocialworkers–butthatthesystemshouldnotseektomandateaparticularapproachtofrontlinepractice.
Inresponsetoourrecommendations,andthroughconsultationwithsocialworkersusingthesystemandwithlocalauthorities,DCSFhaschangeditsapproachtoICS.Ithasestablishedanimprovementprogrammefocusedon
●● simplificationofthenationalspecificationsforICS
●● clarificationthatlocalauthoritiesareresponsibleforthequalityandusabilityoftheirIT,andforensuringthatitsupportseffectiveprofessionalpractice
●● supporttoauthoritiesinmakinglocaldecisionsaboutthefutureoftheirICSsystems,including:toolsforassessingandimprovingusability;andguidanceabouthowsimplificationscanbeintroducedwhilstprotectingtheintegrityofthesystemandcontinuingtosupportsocialworkerstooperatewithinthelegalframework.
ThefirstsetofsimplificationsandguidanceforICSwasissuedbytheDCSFinOctober22.
Changewasboundtotaketime:localauthoritieshaveneededtomakesignificantadjustmentsinordertorespondtothenewapproach;somesuppliersrequirelongleadintimesforchangetotheirproductssupportingtheimplementationofICS.Asaresult,theimprovementshavenotyetmadeadifferenceforallsocialworkersonthefrontline.
However,theSocialWorkTaskForceverymuchwelcomesthisnewapproachtoICSfromDCSF.TheDepartmentisstartingtodevelopastrongmodelforworkingwiththeprofessiononissuesthatareimportanttofrontlinepractice.Thisneedstobecomethetemplateforcollaborativeworkingthatwillbekeytothesuccessofreformasawhole.
Inourinterimreport, wealsonotedthatproblemswithcomputersystemsarenotnecessarilylimitedtochildren’sservices.ItwillbecriticalthereforethattheworktoimproveICScontinues,withwiderlessonslearnedandapplied,aspartofthewiderreformprogrammeforsocialworkdevelopedinresponsetothisreport.
22www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/safeguardingandsocialcare/integratedchildrenssystem/ics.
![Page 35: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 35
Recommendation 7: Supervision
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthatthenewstandardforemployersshouldbesupportedbyclearnationalrequirementsforthesupervisionofsocialworkers.
2.23 Theserequirementsshouldmeanthatallorganisationsemployingsocialworkersarerequiredtomakeapositive,unambiguouscommitmenttoastrongsupervisionculture,tobeachievedthrough
●● aclearsupervisionpolicy
●● effectivetrainingandperformancemanagementforsupervisors
●● strongleadershipandexamplefromseniormanagers
●● monitoringoftheactualfrequencyandqualityofsupervisionagainstclearstatementsofwhatisexpected
●● compliancewithestablishedguidanceonthefeaturesofgoodsupervision23
2.24 TheTaskForcewouldalsoexpectminimumfrequencylevelsnormallytobeweeklyforfirst6weeksemployment, thenfortnightlyforthedurationofthefirstsixmonths.Aftersixmonthsinpost,thiswouldmovetoaminimumofmonthlysupervision,witheachsessionatleastanhourandahalfofuninterruptedtime.Wherethelinemanagerisnotasocialworker,professionalsupportshouldbeprovidedbyanexperiencedsocialworker.24
2.25 Inaddition,effectiveorganisationswillwishtocontinuetodeveloppeerandgroupsupervisionandtheuseoffocusedcasediscussionaspartofawidercultureoflearninganddevelopment.
2.26 Bothfrequencyandqualityofsupervisionisincorporatedintotheinitialframeworkforassessingthe“health”oforganisationsonarangeofissuesaffectingworkload(seeparagraph2.22above).
2.27 Supervisionisalsoanintegralpartoftheproposedstandardforemployers(above).
23See,forinstance,Providing Effective Supervision(SkillsforCare/CWDC2007).Allsupervisionshouldbe:basedonawrittenagreementorcontract;plannedwellinadvanceandonlychangedinexceptionalcircumstances;well-structured,allowingboththesupervisorandthepractitionertocontributetotheagenda;providedinanappropriatesettingandfreeofinterruptions;inclusiveofallthefunctionsoutlinedintheunitofcompetenceproperlyandpromptlyrecorded,withnotescopiedtotheindividual.
24Thesesuggestionsareinpartbasedonguidancefornewlyqualifiedsocialworkersinadultservices,developedbySkillsforCare.
![Page 36: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future36
Recommendation 8: Front Line Management
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthecreationofdedicatedprogrammesoftrainingandsupportforfrontlinesocialworkmanagers.
2.28 Thisprogrammeshouldbeatthreelevels.
●● Aspiring managers
Inordertomoveintoafirstlinemanagementrole,prospectivelinemanagersshouldhaveaccesstotraininganddevelopmenttopreparethemforthisstep.Thistrainingshouldbeinlinewithanationallyagreedsetoflearningoutcomesandastandardisedassessmentframework.
●● Newly appointed managers
Thisleveloftheprogrammecouldadoptasimilarformattoprogrammesfornewlyqualifiedsocialworkerswith:statementsabouttheskills,knowledgeandbehaviourmanagersshouldbeabletodemonstratebytheendoftheirfirstyearinpost;andframeworkscoveringhowtheirprogressisrecordedandassessedandthesupporttheyshouldreceive.
●● Established managers
Thetrainingofferedatthisleveloftheprogrammewouldseektoensurethatestablishedmanagershaveachieved,andcanmaintainandbuildon,abasiclevelofcompetence asbothamanagerandexpertpractitioner.
![Page 37: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 37
Chapter 3: Professional Development and Career Progression
SummaryTheSocialWorkTaskForceisrecommendingasingle,nationallyrecognisedcareerstructure.Thisnewcareerstructurewould
●● mapeachof themainstagesofacareerinsocialworkfromdegreecourseentrantonwards,makingcleartheexpectationsthatshouldapplytosocialworkersateachofthesestages
●● giveshapetothemorecoherentandeffective nationalframeworkforthecontinuingprofessionaldevelopmentofsocialworkers,whichwearealsorecommendingandwhichshouldincorporatethenewMastersinSocialWorkPractice
●● guideindividualemployersinhowthesocialworktaskisbestorganisedinlocalitieswiththerightmixofexpertisewithinfrontlineteamsandhowtheyshouldorganisetheirworkforcetosupportprogression
●● ensurethatsocialworkersarepaidfairly,inlinewiththeirskills,knowledgeandlevelofresponsibility–with,inparticular,progressionroutesavailabletohighquality,specialistpractitionerswhichdonotremovethemfromfrontlinepractice
3.1 IntheinterimreportoftheTaskForce,wesetoutwhyimprovementsincontinuousprofessionaldevelopment,andclearerrolesandcareerstructure,wouldneedtoformimportantpartsofthereformofsocialworkasaprofession.
Continuousprofessionaldevelopment
3.2 Initialeducationis,ofcourse,vitalinitsownright.Earlierinthisreport,weproposeareformedsystemofinitialeducationandtrainingforsocialworkers,culminatinginanewassessedyearinemploymentasthefinalstageinbecomingalicensed,practisingsocialworker.
3.3 However,socialworkersneedtolearnandadaptmoreorlesscontinuously,notleastbecausechangeispartandparcelofsocialwork:demographics,governmentpolicy,statutoryandvoluntaryservices,publicexpectationsandtheevidencebaseforeffective
![Page 38: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future38
practicewillallcontinuetoevolve.Initialtrainingshouldalsothereforeprovidethefoundationforcareerlonglearninganddevelopment.
3.4 Highqualitycontinuousprofessionaldevelopment(CPD)allowssocialworkerstoextendanddeepentheirknowledge,skillsandanalyticalthinking,tobuilduptheirspecialistexpertise,andtoincreasetheirconfidenceandadaptability.
3.5 Socialworkneedsacultureinwhichprofessionalsandemployerstakeseriouslytheirresponsibilityfordevelopingthecurrentandfuturegenerationofworkers.AcommitmenttoexcellenceinCPDshouldbeamajorpartofthisculture.
3.6 Thecurrentpost-qualification(PQ)frameworkofnationallyaccreditedcourses,ineffectsince2007,includessomeexcellentprovisionforboththeadultandchildren’sworkforce. WheretherearestrongpartnershipsandgoodcollaborationbetweenemployersandHEI–forexampleincommissioning,planninganddevelopingcurrentPQcourses–thishasledtoamorestrategicapproachtoongoinglearningandtheexchangeofknowledge,moresharingofresources;andpositivestepstodevelopandupdatepractice.
3.7 However,CPDisnotyetproperlyvaluedandsupportedinallplacesandorganisations.Wehaveheardthattheframeworkasawhole isnotsufficientlycoherent,effectiveorwidelyunderstood,withweaknessesinchoice,flexibilityandrelevance.Takeuphasvariedacrossthecountryandhasbeendisappointingoverall.Thereareconsiderablebarriersinmanypartsofthecountrytosocialworkersundertakingcourses,includinglackofemployersupportand,particularly,alackoftimeduetoheavyworkloads.
3.8 Socialworklackssharedunderstandingoftheoveralldirection,shapeandcontentofitsprogrammeofprofessionaldevelopment.Thecurrentpositionisarecipeforinconsistency,confusionandpoorpractice.Itisbadforretainingpeopleinsocialworkandforthestatusoftheprofession.Weneedmoreemployingorganisationsreadytosupportongoingtrainingandlearning(aswellasinitialtraining),insupportofaprofessionwithamuchclearersenseofwhatcareerlongdevelopmentshouldmean.
3.9 SuccessinimprovingCPDwillthereforedependheavilyonsharedcommitmentfromemployers,educatorsandprofessionals.Allmustdevotethetimeandresourcesthatwillbenecessarytobringaboutamajorshift.ThismustbeincentivisedthroughthestandardforemployerswerecommendinChapter2.Organisationsthemselveshavetotakeresponsibilityfordevelopingastronglearningcultureandbeseentosupportthiscultureintangibleways.Thiscouldbeachievedby,forinstance,freeingupstafftimeforcourses;supportingstaffaccesstoevidence,researchandguidanceongoodpractice25;andallowingmoreinformalactivitywithinteams26toflourishwhenthisisclearlyraisingexpertiseandimprovingpractice.Individualsalsohavetotakeresponsibilityfortheirowncontinuouslearningand–asisthecaseinotherprofessions–forsupportingcolleaguesandstudentstolearn.
25Through,forexample,journals,onlineresourcesandexternalexperts.26Forinstance:teamdiscussions,journalclubs,takingpartinresearch-focusedpracticeandpolicyprojects,e-learning,reading,
meetingandexchanginglearningwithothersetc.
![Page 39: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 39
Aprofessionandcareerwithclearstandards,expectationsandstructure
3.10 Therearemanysetsofstandardsandoutcomestatementsgoverningdifferentdimensionsofsocialwork.However,theprofessiondoesnotyethaveasingle,comprehensiveaccountofwhatshouldbeexpectedofsocialworkersateachstageoftheircareer–includingwhatshouldbeexpectedofnewgraduatesandthoseparticipatinginadvancedsocialworkeducation.Despiteadvancesbroughtaboutthroughdegreestatusandprotectedtitle,socialworkasacareerandprofessionisstillsubjecttotoomuchinconsistencyanduncertainty.Inparticular,thereisnorecognisedprogressionrouteforkeepingexperienced,effectiveprofessionalsinfrontlinepractice.Thereisalsoconfusionamongeducatorsandemployersaboutwhatshouldbeexpectedofnewlyqualifiedsocialworkers(asdiscussedinChapter1).
3.11 Asaresult,organisationsthateducate,regulate,employandsupportsocialworkerslackacommonframeofreference,makingjointactiondifficult.Peopleconsideringacareerinsocialworklackaclearaccountofhowacareerintheprofessioncanbestructured.Thosewhoplanservicesneedtoknowwhattheycanreasonablyexpectofsocialworkersatdifferentstagesoftheircareerandhowtheycansupportprogressionandprofessionaldevelopmentwithintheirworkforce.ThereisevidencetosuggestdifferencesinthewayJobEvaluationSchemesareappliedtosocialworkersmeansthattheirskills,experienceandresponsibilitiesarenotalwaysadequatelymeasured.Serviceusersandthepublicshouldalsobeabletounderstandwhattheycanexpectofsocialworkers,inaccordancewiththeirgradeandexperience.
3.12 Incontrasttootherprofessions,socialworkersarenotabletomakeprogressintheircareerswhilestayinginfrontlinepractice.Thediagramoverleafillustratesthepossiblecareerpathsopentonurses,teachersandsocialworkers.
![Page 40: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future40
Nursing, Social Work and Teaching Career Structures
£20,000 *Median starting and maximum rates(source: IDS)
£40,000
£35,000
£30,000
£25,000
£45,000
£50,000
Management Role
Practice and Professional Leadership Roles
Career Progression
AdvancedSkills
TeacherLeadership
Group
ExcellentTeacherScheme
SeniorTeacher
Teacher
NurseTeam
Leader
Nursespecialist
Nurse
NurseAdvanced
NurseTeam
Manager
ModernMatron
NurseConsultant
Nursing, Social Work and Teaching Career Structures (2008 Pay Rates)
SocialWorker*
SeniorSocial
Worker*
TeamManager
SeniorManagers
SeniorManagers
Recommendations
Recommendation 9: Continuing Professional Development
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthecreationofamorecoherentandeffectivenationalframeworkforthecontinuingprofessionaldevelopmentofsocialworkers,alongwithmechanismstoencourageashiftinculturewhichraisesexpectationsofanentitlementtoongoinglearninganddevelopment.
3.13 Thisframeworkshould
●● enablesocialworkerstocontinuetodevelopspecialistskills,andtodevelopasleadersandmanagers;andenableandsupportthosewithoutdegreelevelqualificationtocontinuetopursueCPDtodegreelevelandabove
●● helpdevelopthenextgenerationofsocialworkacademics,andinnovativepractitioners(through,forexample,opportunitiestoachievequalificationsatDoctorallevel)
●● informperformanceappraisalsystems
![Page 41: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 41
●● supportsocialworkersinmakingprogressthroughthesinglenationallyrecognisedcareerstructureproposedelsewhereinthisreport,withwhichitshouldbecloselyaligned
●● producestandardised,consistentoutcomesthatareacceptedasvalidacrossthecountry–whileallowingtheappropriatelevelsofchoiceandflexibilityinmethodsandstylesoflearninganddevelopment
●● helpbindtogetherresearch,educationandfrontlinepracticesothattheseareallmutuallysupportiveandremainsointhefuture
3.14 Themechanismsthatcouldbeusedtoencouragetheshiftinculturesuggestedbyourrecommendationinclude:linkstothecareerframeworkandthelicencetopractiseschemealsoproposedinthisreport;andtheinclusionofCPDindiscussionsbetweensocialworkersandtheirmanagersconcerningworkloadorappraisal.
3.15 ThenewframeworkshouldbuildonthebestpartsofthecurrentPQframeworkandreflectwhathasbeenlearntfrominnovativemodelsofdelivery(includingcoursesjointlydesignedanddeliveredbyemployersandhighereducationinstitutions;andbespokecourseswhichhavebeendevelopedforaveryspecialistmarket).TheMastersinSocialWorkPractice,towhichMinistersarecommitted27,shouldbeincorporatedintotheframeworkasoneifitsmainfeatures.
3.16 Therearealsobenefitsinsupportingmorediversityofopportunitieslinkedtoindividualneedsandcareeraspirations.Itisimportantthatsocialworkerscanundertakelessformalactivitiesfortheirlearningandprofessionaldevelopment.Thesecanincludespecialistshortcourses,peergroupsupport,actionlearninggroups,researchandshadowingofotherprofessionals.Manypotentiallyvaluableinhouse,locallyprovidedcoursesorspecialistcoursesareoftennotaccreditedorcertificated–inpartbecauseoftheabsenceofaconsistentframeworkforCPD.
3.17 Ongoinglearning,traininganddevelopmentundertheframeworkshouldbetreatedbothasaresponsibilityandanentitlement–andincorporatedintoworkloadplanning,performancemanagementandappraisal.
3.18 ThenewframeworkshouldbeoneofthedevelopmentstakenforwardthroughtheprogrammeforsocialworkreformweproposeinChapter6.
3.19 Weareawareofthebarriersanddifficultiesarisingfromcurrentvacancyratesandworkloadpressureswhichareaffectingallareasofservicedelivery,includingCPD.Itwillbeimportanttoreleasecapacityinthesystemtogivemanagersandsocialworkersthetime,resourcesandspacetodevelopalearningcultureandimprovetheimpactofCPD.However,theexpectedimpactofCPDinproducingmoreeffectivepracticeandbetterservices,andimprovingretention,suggeststhatitwillpaydividendsinthelongerterm.
3.20 TheTaskForcewouldalsowelcometheCareQualityCommission(CQC)andOfstedcommentingininspectionsonhowwellemployerssupportprofessionaldevelopment.
27AnnouncedbytheSecretaryofStateforChildren,SchoolsandFamiliesinMarch2009.
![Page 42: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future42
Funding
3.21 InordertosupportopportunitiesforallsocialworkerstoaccessCPD,discussionwillbeneededwiththeHigherEducationFundingCouncilforEngland(HEFCE)aboutwhetherthecurrentELQ(EquivalentLevelQualification)rulescanbereviewed.TheserulesrestrictfundingforthosewhoalreadyhaveaMastersdegreeinundertakingfurtherstudyatMasterslevel.TheywouldhamperthosewhohavequalifiedforpracticewithaninitialMastersqualificationintakingamorespecialistMastersdegreeaspartoftheirCPD.
Renewal of registration
3.22 Thecurrentrequirementsforrenewalofregistrationasasocialworkershouldbeurgentlyreviewedandmademoredemanding.Thisshouldincludeclearevidenceofhowthelearningundertakenhasledtoimprovementsinpractice.
3.23 Theregulatorofsocialworkeducationshouldinthelongertermbeaskedtoconsiderlinkinglicensingandre-licensing(underthe‘licencetopractiseschemeproposedinChapter6)andtothecareerframeworkdescribedbelow.
Recommendation 10: National Career Structure
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthecreationofsingle,nationallyrecognisedcareerstructureforsocialwork.
3.24 Asingle nationally recognised career structureshould
●● classifythemainstagesofacareerinsocialwork(fromfirstyearstudentonwards)
●● makecleartheexpectationsthatshouldapplytosocialworkersateachofthesestages
●● linkeventuallytothenationalframeworkforCPD(above),theforthcomingMastersinSocialWorkPracticeandthe‘licencetopractice’schemeproposedinChapter6
●● beusedbyemployersandunionstoagreepayandgradingstructureswhichproperlyrewardsocialworkersinlinewiththeirskills,experienceandresponsibilities–includingthosesocialworkerswhostayinfrontlinepractice
3.25 ThediagrambelowillustratesthecareerstructurethattheTaskForceisrecommending.
![Page 43: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 43
A Clear Career Structure with Clear Expectations at Key Points
ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICEEDUCATOR
SOCIAL WORKMANAGER
SENIOR LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER
LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER
‘PROBATIONARY’ SOCIAL WORKER
SOCIAL WORK STUDENT
Clea
r rel
atio
nshi
p to
sta
ndar
ds in
form
ing
educ
atio
n,em
ploy
men
t etc
Further specialist standards including
� child protection� mental health� safeguarding
Assessment
� Graduate Social Worker completing an assessed first year in employment
Graduation
Entry criteria
3.26 Thedetailofwhatisexpectedateachlevel,andtheassessmentprocess,willneedtobeworkedthroughbytheprofession,employers,educatorsandGovernment,aspartofthecomprehensivereformprogramme.Thedevelopmentofexpectationsorstandardsofsocialworkersateachlevelmustbefullyinformedbytheprofessionitself.
3.27 Wewouldliketoseetheseexpectationsbeingdevelopedandconsultedonassoonaspossible.ThisshouldtakeplaceaspartofthenationalreformprogrammeforsocialworkproposedinChapter6.Theseexpectationswillbeneededinordertoguidemanyaspectsofreform,creatingsharedexpectationsofwhatthesystemshouldbesupportingsocialworkerstobeabletodoateachstageoftheircareer.Theyshouldgiveemployers,educatorsandtheprofessionclarityaboutknowledgeandskillsdevelopmentandcareerprogression.
3.28 Theywillalsohelpemployerstoorganizetheirworkforcetosupportprogressionandhelpthemtoachievetherightmixofexpertisewithinfrontlineteamsandmanagement–with,inparticular,progressionroutesavailabletohighquality,specialistpractitionerswhichdonotremovethemfromthefrontline.
![Page 44: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future44
Pay
3.29 SocialworkerpayhasbeenraisedinanumberofwayswiththeTaskForce,andtheconcernswehaveheardweresummarisedinourinterimreport.
3.30 Payfornewsocialworkersiscomparabletootherprofessions.However,thereisevidencethataclearercareerstructure,withopportunitiestoprogresstogreaterresponsibilityandhigherpay,whilecontinuingtoworkonthefrontline,willhelprecruitment,promoteretention,andultimatelyimprovethequalityoffrontlineservices.
3.31 TheTaskForcehasalsoseenevidencethatsuggestssocialworkershavedonebadly inthejobevaluationexercisescarriedoutinsomelocalauthorities,whichunderratedtheirknowledgeandskills.Thishasledtothembeingpaidlessthanotherprofessionalswithcomparableexpertiseandknowledge.
3.32 Webelievetheseissuesneedtoberesolvedbysettingoutclearlydefinedlevelsofskill,responsibilityandrole,whichcanbereflectedinlocalauthoritygradingstructuresinordertodeliverpayprogression.Thiswouldprovideagreedandnationallyrecognisedcareerprogression,whileleavingtolocalarrangementsthestructureandsizeofindividualteams.
3.33 Wealsorecommendthat,aspartofthestandardforemployers(seeChapter2),employersshouldreviewtheirjobevaluationofbasicgradesocialworkerstoensurethattheirknowledgeandskillsarebeingfairlyrewarded.Wearemakingrecommendationsfoundedonthecurrentnationalagreementonlocalgovernmentpay,asbothemployersandunionshavetoldustheyarewillingtoactswiftlytomakesignificantchangeareality.However,ifthisturnsoutnotbethecase,webelievethatthegovernmentshouldconsiderwhetheranationalpaybodyisneededtoensuresocialworkersarefairlyrewarded.
![Page 45: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 45
Chapter 4: Leadership
SummaryTheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendstheestablishmentofanindependentnationalcollegeofsocialwork.
Thiswillarticulateandpromotetheinterestsofgoodsocialwork.Itwillgivetheprofessionitselfstrong,independentleadership;aclearvoiceinpublicdebate,policydevelopmentandpolicydelivery;andstrongownershipofthestandardstobeupheld.
4.1 Inourinterimreport,weexplainedhowsocialworklacksasinglelocusofresponsibilityforpromotingtheprofession,improvingpublicunderstanding,spreadingbestpracticeanddrivingupitsstandards.Socialworkersareunsureaboutwheretolookforleadershipoftheirprofession,andforrepresentationinthepolicydebatesthatshapepracticeandconditionsonthefrontline.Throughanonlinesurveyofsocialworkersconductedsincepublicationoftheinterimreport,wefoundfurtherstrongsupportforthecreationofacollegeofsocialworkwiththekindsofresponsibilitieswerecommendbelow.
Recommendations
Recommendation 11: National College of Social Work
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthecreationofanindependentnationalcollegeofsocialwork,developedandledbysocialworkers.
4.2 Weanticipatethattheremitofthecollegewilldevelopandgrowovertimebut,fromtheoutset,thecollegeshouldassumepermanentresponsibilityfor
●● promotingthepublicunderstandingofsocialworkasapublicserviceandaprofession
●● providinganindependentvoiceforsocialworkinpublicandmediadebateandreportingpubliclyonthestateofsocialworkinEngland
●● representingtheinterestsofeffectivesocialworkandtheviewsofthesocialworkprofessioninthedevelopmentofchangestopolicy,legislation,educationandregulation
![Page 46: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future46
●● bringingtolightexcellentpracticeinsocialworkandpromotingitswideradoption
●● agreeingandarticulatinghighstandardsfortheprofessionandworkingwithemployers,educators,governmentandthepublictoensurethatallpartieshavethesameexpectationsofwhatmakeshighqualitysocialworkpractice
●● relationswithotherprofessionsandsimilarprofessionalbodies
4.3 Inparticular,workingthroughtheproposedboardoverseeingthenationalreformprogrammeforsocialwork(seeChapter6),thecollegeshouldactasthevoiceoftheprofessioninthecreationofthenationallyrecognisedcareerstructureandthenewstandardforemployers(bothproposedelsewhereinthisreport).Wewouldliketoseeitinplacequickly,sothatitcanplayastrongandformativeroleinthedevelopmentandimplementationofthereformprogrammewhichmusttakeforwardourrecommendations.
4.4 Thenewcollegewillneedtoestablishitselfasacredible,wellinformedandaboveallindependentvoiceforsocialworkandfortheprofession.Itshouldstrivetosecurethefullbackingofsocialworkers,whowillneedtoseeitastheirorganisation–onethatactseffectivelyintheinterestsofgoodsocialworkandwhichreflectstheirvaluesandexperience.ItshouldthereforeaspiretohavinguniversalmembershipamongsocialworkersinEnglandandmaywishtoexploreopportunitiestoextentitsreachtootherUKnations.
4.5 Whilethecollegeshouldbeavehicleforpromotingtheviewsandinterestsofsocialworkers,itmustaboveallspeakoutforandpromotetheinterestsofgoodsocialworkasawhole.Tradeunionsandprofessionalassociationswhichrepresentsocialworkers,employers,academics,HEIandserviceusersshouldallhavearoleinhelpingthecollegetobecomeestablished.
4.6 TheCollegewillneedtoworkwithsocialworkerstodetermineindependentfundingandgovernancearrangementsanditslong-termprioritiesandfunctions.Itiscleartousatthisstagethatthereareanumberofissuesthatthecollegewillneedtoconsiderandresolveintheshortandmediumterm.Theseinclude
●● membershiparrangementsandfees–andtheexpectationsthecollegehasofitsmembers
●● theroleofserviceusers:giventhenatureofsocialwork,itwillbeessentialforserviceuserstohaverealinfluencewithintheworkofthecollege–thecollegeshouldcommissionfurtherworkonhowthiscouldbedonemosteffectivelyandactquicklytoputthesemeasuresinplace
●● therelationshipbetweenthecollegeandotherbodiesinvolvedinsocialwork
●● relationsbetweenthecollegeandsocialworkersinotherpartsoftheUnitedKingdomandhowthesemembershipmightbebroadenedovertimetobeavailabletosocialworkerspractisingintheseplaces
4.7 Thecollegeneedstobeinvolvedinthereformprogramme,andthekeydevelopmentsflowingfromit,fromtheearlystages.Interim‘shadowarrangements’forthenational
![Page 47: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 47
collegeshouldthereforebesetupassoonaspossible,beginningwithanindependentappointmentprocessforkeyrolesinestablishingthecollege.
4.8 WebelievethatcentralGovernmentshouldprovidelogisticalsupporttotheprofessioninestablishingthecollege,includingbyfundingitfortheshadowperiod.Thenewinstitutionwillneedtobestrongenoughfromtheoutsettoassumeitskeyresponsibilities(assetoutaboveandinthenextchapter)intheshortandmediumterm.Thisshouldbedoneinsuchawaythatthenecessaryindependenceofthecollegeisnotcompromised.
![Page 48: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future48
Chapter 5: Public Value and Understanding
SummaryTheSocialWorkTaskForceisrecommendinganew programmeofactiononpublicunderstandingofsocialwork,creatinggreateropennessabouttheprofession,inwhichtheproposednationalcollegeshouldplaytheleadingrole.Actionshouldincludeasustainedapproachtoraisingandmaintainingpublicawarenessofwhatsocialworkentailsandthecontributiongoodsocialworkmakestosociety.ThepublicdescriptionofsocialworkoriginallydevelopedbytheSocialWorkTaskForceforourinterimreportshouldbeadopted,finalisedandusedbythenationalcollegeforthispurpose.
5.1 SocialworkershavespelledouttotheTaskForcehowdeeplyconcernedtheyarebythewayinwhichtheirprofessionisreportedoninthemediaandbythelowlevelsofunderstandingoftheroleandpurposeoftheirprofession.
5.2 Theyhaveexpressedtheirangerathowsocialworkersoftenappearsingledoutfortheblameintheaftermathofthetragedyofachild’sdeath.Theyhavealsoexpressedtheirfrustrationatthereluctance–andinsomecasesblanketresistance–amongsomeemployerstoallowthemtoengagewiththemediaaboutthepositivedifferencetheyaremakingortotalk(withinagreedboundaries)aboutthepressures,dilemmasanddifficultiesofthejob.
5.3 Severalseniorjournalistshavealsospokentousaboutthisissue.Theyhaveemphasisedtimeandagaintheabsencewithinsocialworkofrealmediaexpertise.Inparticular,theyhavespokenabout
●● apoorflowofinformationwhendifficultstoriesbegintobreak,eventothosejournalistswhoareknowledgeableandsympathetic–thisissymptomaticofacultureofdefensivenessthatoftenservesonlytoexacerbatethemediafrenzy
●● thelackofaclear,strongvoiceforsocialworkinthenationaldebate,explainingthetruenatureanddemandsofthejob
5.4 Thepublicimageoftheprofessionseemsthereforetobeunremittinglynegative,withdamagingconsequencesforrecruitment,moraleandpublicperceptions.
5.5 Itiscompoundedbylowlevelsofunderstandingoftheexactroleandpurposeofsocialworkersandoftherealdemandsoffrontlinesocialwork.Themediafocusonharrowingcasesofchildabusehasalsoledtoworriesthatsocialworkhasbeenreducedtohigh-end
![Page 49: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 49
childprotectioninpopularunderstanding,thusdisregardingotherimportantaspectsofsocialwork.
5.6 Thislackofunderstandingaffectsnotjustthewidergeneralpublic.Colleaguesfromotherprofessionsandserviceuserscanalsobeunclearorconfusedaboutwhattheyshouldexpectofsocialworkers,leadingtomisunderstandingandfrustrationonallsides.
5.7 Ourinterimreportsetoutinfurtherdetailtheimpactonsocialworkofitsimageinthemediaandconfusionaboutitsroleandpurpose.However,thereissomeencouragementtobefound.Itseemsthatmanypeopledoappreciatethevitalandoftendifficultrolesocialworkershavetoplay.Theenthusiasticresponsetothegovernment’srecentHelp Give Them A Voice andBe the Difference campaignsdemonstratedhowthepubliccantakeapositiveinterestinsocialwork,whenmessagesaboutitarecommunicatedintherightway28.Equally,somesurveysofpublicopinionshowthatperceptionsofsocialworkandsocialworkersaremorepositivethanmightbeimagined.
5.8 Itseemsclear,however,thataslongasserviceusers,thepublic,otherprofessionsandthemediaremainunclearabouttherole,purposeandvalueofsocialworkandsocialworkers,theprofessionwillstruggletobefullyconfidentandeffective.
Recommendations
Recommendation 12: Public Understanding
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsanewprogrammeofactiononpublicunderstandingofsocialwork.
5.9 Thisprogrammeofactionshouldinclude
●● asustainedapproachtoraisingandmaintainingpublicawarenessofwhatsocialworkentailsandthecontributiongoodsocialworkmakestoafair,caringandcivilisedsociety
●● alongtermstrategyformediarelationshelpingthemediatounderstandsocialworkonanongoingbasisandattimesofheightenedinterest
●● thedevelopmentofclearlinesofresponsibilityforhandlinginformationwhenanewsstoryinvolvingsocialworkbreaks,nationallyorlocally
●● acontinuouslyrefreshed“bank”ofstoriesandcasestudiesthathelptoillustrategoodsocialworkpractice,creatingabenchmarkforthepublicofthepositiveimpactsocialworkcanhave
●● employerstakingresponsibilityforpromotingconstructiverelationshipsbetweenfrontlinesocialworkersandlocalmediaandabletodrawonexpertadviceinhandlingstoriesastheybreak
28Thistwo-phaserecruitmentcampaignwaslaunchedonlineinAugust2009andthereafteronTVandradioandinprint.Around32,000peoplehaveregisteredforfurtherinformationonhowtobecomeasocialworker.
![Page 50: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future50
●● systematicuseofstatisticaldataandotherinformationonperformancetocreateabalanced,accuratepictureofpublicunderstandingofthequalityandeffectivenessofsocialwork
●● aregularsurveyofpublicunderstandingofandattitudestowardssocialworkthatwouldmeasuretheimpactofeffortandinvestment
5.10 ThenationalcollegeshouldadoptthepublicdescriptionofsocialworkpresentedintheinterimreportoftheTaskForceanddevelopthisfurtherforuseintheprogrammeofactiondescribedabove.Assuggestedinthepreviouschapters,serviceusersneedtohaverealinfluencewithintheworkofthecollegeandwewouldexpecttoseethisreflectedinworkonthepublicunderstandingofsocialwork.
5.11 Theproposednationalcollegeofsocialworkshouldplaytheleadingroleinorganisinganddeliveringthisprogrammeofaction.Indoingso,thecollegeshouldbeabletocallonhighqualitymediaexpertise.
5.12 ItwillalsobeimportantforGovernmentministerstocontinuetousetheirplatformsforcommunicatingwiththepublictoexplainandpromotesocialworkanditsimportancetothenation.Measuresshouldalsobeputinplacesothatserviceusersandthewiderpublicareabletoengagewithandeasilyunderstandboththisreportandthereformprogrammethatwillfollowit.
![Page 51: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 51
Chapter 6: A Cohesive and Purposeful System
SummaryTheSocialWorkTaskForceisrecommendingthedevelopmentofalicencetopractiseschemeforsocialworkers;anewsystemforforecastinglevelsofsupplyanddemandforsocialworkers;andthecreationofasinglenationalreformprogrammeforsocialwork,overseenbyareformboardofemployers,educators,theprofessionandserviceuserswhomustworktogethertoensurethatourrecommendationsmakearealdifference.
Introduction
6.1 Intheearlierchaptersofthisreport,weputforwardwiderangingrecommendationsfordirectchangestohowsocialworkerstrainfor,practise,leadandrepresenttheirprofession.
6.2 Inthisfinalchapterofthereport,wemakeaseriesofotherrecommendationscoveringactionneededtounderpinlong-term,system-wideimprovementandreform.Thesechangeswouldbelessimmediatelyvisibleintermsofhowtheprofessionpreparesforandoperatesonthefrontlineandforhowitpresentsitselftothepublic–butallwillbeessentialtosuccess.Effectivenessonthefrontlinedependsheavilyonhavingacohesive,purposefulsystembehindit.
6.3 Thischapteralsocontainsouradviceonthingsthatgovernment,employersandotherscandonowtotacklecapacityproblems,whichwillotherwiseholdbackreformandseecurrentproblemsgrowmoreentrenched.
Licencetopracticesystem
6.4 Implementingtheassessedandsupportedyearinemploymentproposedearlierinthisreport(seeChapter1)wouldclearlymeanamendmentstothecurrentarrangementsforregisteringasasocialworker,whichallowregistrationonbeingawardedadegree.However,wealsoknowthattherequirementscurrentlygoverningrenewalofregistration(involving90hoursofcontinuousprofessionaldevelopmenteverythreeyearsarelooselydefinedandnotrigorouslymonitored.Thereisalsoaclearongoingneedtoensurethatthearrangementsgoverningregistrationsupporteffectiveregulationoftheprofessionintheinterestsofeffectivepractice,safeconductandpublicprotection.Thecurrentcodeof
![Page 52: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future52
practiceisnotsufficientlyfocusedonsocialworkersasadistinctbodyofprofessionals.Asaresult,itisnotdrivingupstandards.TheroleoftheGSCCasregulatoroftheprofessionisnotclearlyunderstoodandissometimesconfusedorconflatedwithotherroles.
Recommendations
Recommendation 13: Licence to Practise
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthedevelopmentofalicencetopractisesystemforsocialworkers.
6.5 Underthissystem,practitionerswouldfirstacquireandthenmaintaintheirstatusassocialworkers(andtheirabilitytobeemployedassuch).Thiswouldbeachievedthroughdemonstratingthattheyhavekepttohighstandardsofcontinuingcompetencyandprofessionaldevelopment.
6.6 Alicencetopractisewouldreplacecurrentrequirementsforre-registrationwithasystemthatismorerigorousandtransparentabouttangibleimprovementsinknowledgeandskills.Itwouldreflectthechangebroughtaboutthroughtheassessedyearinemploymentwhichwouldhavetobecompletedsuccessfullypriortothefirstawardofafulllicence.
6.7 TheTaskForcehopesthatthelicencetopractisesystemwilldeveloptoincludearenewalrequirementwhichrelatestoeffectivecontinuingprofessionaldevelopment,associatedwithanentitlementtothetimeandtrainingneededtosupportthis.Inthemeantime,currentrequirementsforre-registrationshouldbeurgentlyreviewedandmadestrongerandmoredemanding.Thisshouldincludeclearevidenceofhowthelearningundertakenhasledtoimprovementsinpractice.Inthelongerterm,linkinglicensingandre-licensingtospecificjobroles–andeventuallytocareerpathwaysandthecareerframeworkasdescribedinChapter3–shouldbeconsidered.
6.8 Adedicatedcodeofpracticeforsocialworkersshouldbedevelopedtounderpinthelicence.Thecontentofthecodeshouldbecommunicatedclearlytotheprofession,employers,serviceusersandthewiderpublic,withtheproposednationalcollegeofsocialworkplayingaprominentandongoingroleinthisprocess.
Socialworkersupply
6.9 WedonothaveasystemforanalysingorforecastingtheoveralldemandforandsupplyofsocialworkersinEngland.Thereisalackofreliable‘realtime’dataonthecharacteristicsoftheworkforceandtrendswithinit(e.g.vacancyrates).Equally,thereisnoagreedmodelforestimatingandinfluencingthenumberofsocialworkersneededinlocalareas.
6.10 Asaresult,workforceplanningatlocallevelandnationallevels,andtheplanningandresourcingofeducationandtraining,areseverelyhamstrung.Thissituationisnottenableinthelongterm.
![Page 53: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 53
Recommendation 14: Social Worker Supply
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsanewsystemforforecastinglevelsofsupplyanddemandforsocialworkers.
6.11 Thissystemshouldinclude
●● regular,reliableandproportionategatheringofworkforcedatawhichsupportstheunderstandingofnationalandmorelocalisedsupplyanddemand
●● centraliseddataanalysisandexpertise,whichcan
– bringforwardimprovementsandmodificationstocurrentdatacollection
– modelpolicy,demographicandotherchangesontooverallnumbersofsocialworkersneededinfutureyears
– adviseontheimplicationsofthesechangesforeducation,trainingandcontinuingprofessionaldevelopment
●● partnershipsoverseeingworkforcestrategy,planningandinnovationatthelevelmostappropriatetolocalandregionalneeds.Thesepartnershipswouldallowemployerstocollaboratebetterwithoneanotherandwiththehighereducationinstitutionswhoeducatenewsocialworkerslocally.
6.12 Developmentsalongtheselineswillalsohelptoinformfuturerecruitmentcampaignsandtoevaluatetheoverallimpactofreformoncreatingaprofessionthatiscapableofattractingtherightpeopleintherightnumbers.
6.13 Itwilltaketimetodevelopandbringintouseamodelalongtheselines,inlargepartbecauseofthepaucityofdatacurrently.Inthemeantime,employersandHEIwillneedtogettogethernow–assomearedoing–tomakethebestarrangementslocally.
Nationalreformprogrammeforsocialwork
6.14 Itwillbedifficulttomakeprogresswithalloftheprecedingrecommendationsinthisreportwhileresponsibilityfortheoverallhealthoftheprofessionstaysfragmented.Employers,educators,theGovernmentandtheprofessionitselfallneedtoactdifferently.Thereisaneedforamuchmorecollaborativeapproachbetweenkeypartnerstostrengthensocialwork,withdemonstrablyhighlevelsofaccountabilityforactiontaken,includingcollectiveaction.
6.15 Reformofthescaleandscopeimpliedbytheserecommendationsislikelytorequireatenyearcommitmentwithconcertedactionoverthenextfiveyearsinparticular.
![Page 54: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future54
Recommendation 15: National Reform Programme
TheSocialWorkTaskForcerecommendsthecreationofasinglenationalreformprogrammeforsocialwork.
6.16 Thisprogrammewoulddrivethedeliveryofourrecommendationsandshouldsecurerapidactionandimprovement,andleadtosustainedcommitmentfromemployers,educators,theprofessionandgovernmentoverthenexttenyears.
6.17 Thegovernmentwillneedtoshowstrongleadershipandcommitmentinmakingreformhappen.Itwillneedtomakesuretheprogrammeisproperlysupportedandresourced,andthatitbecomespartofmainstreambusinessintherelevantdepartments.Employers,educators,regulators,andtheexistingbodiesrepresentingsocialworkersmustalsoallsignuptoasharedandsustainedprogrammeofwork.
6.18 Thereformprogrammeshouldthereforebeoverseenbyanewreformboard,reportingtoMinisters,andreflectingthisneedforcollectiveresponsibility.Overallprogressindeliveringreformshouldbereviewedandmadepublicannually.Thevoiceandinfluenceofserviceusersshouldbebuiltintothewholereformprogrammefromthestart.TheprogrammeshouldoverseedeliveryofalltherecommendationsmadebytheTaskForce,includingdevelopmentofthestandardforemployers,thenationalcareerstructureandthesupplymodel.
6.19 Oncethecoreexpectationsforthenationalcareerstructure(proposedinChapter3)areestablished,theTaskForcebelievesthattheyshouldbeusedtorationalisetheplethoraofstandardsandoutcomesstatementswhicharecurrentlyusedtoinformdifferentaspectsofsocialworktraining,developmentandeducation.Theobjectiveshouldbethatallaspectsofthesystem–initialeducation,employmentandcontinuingprofessionaldevelopment–aredesignedtosupportsocialworkersindevelopingtheircareersandcompetencies,underpinnedbyasharedunderstandingofwhattheyareexpectedtoachieve.
6.20 Collectiveactionwillclearlyneedtobetakenatamorelocallevel,aswellasnationallyonsomematters.Thisincludesclosecollaborationbetweenemployersandeducatorstoensurethereareadequatenumbersof:placesonsocialworkcourses;highqualitypracticeplacementopportunitiesforstudents;andsuitableentrantstotheworkforce.Theboardoverseeingreformshouldmovequicklytounderstandlocal,regionalandsub-regionalpartnerships,wherethesearecurrentlyinplace,andalsohowotherprofessionsorganisethemselvestohandletheseissues.Itshouldbringforwardadviceonhowlocalemployersandhighereducationinstitutionscanbestworkandplantogetheronquestionsofeducation,trainingandlocalworkforcesupply.
6.21 Aswesaidinourinterimreport,weareconcernedaboutthenumberofdifferentnationalorganisations,operatingtoarangeofremits,allofwhichhaveabearingonhowsocialworkisdevelopedandled.Despitethepresenceoftheseorganisations,socialworkersstill
![Page 55: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 55
findthemselvesunder-representedinavarietyofways,andwearealsoworriedabouttheimpactofsuchconfusionandcomplexityontheeffectivenessandefficiencyofreform.
6.22 OurproposalforanationalcollegeshouldresolvesomeofthesedeficitsbutwearealsorecommendingGovernmentactionshouldincluderationalisationofthedeliveryorganisations,partnershipsandstandardsettingmechanismswhichcurrentlycontributetoconfusionandinefficienciesinworkforceimprovement.Iftheprofessionistobecomemoreconfidentandmoreeffective,itneedstobesupportedbyorganisationsthataremoreclearlyfocusedontheimprovementofsocialwork.
6.23 Governmentactionshouldalsoinclude
●● continuedjointcommitmentandleadershipacrossdepartmentsinsupportofthenationalreformprogramme–withrapidactiontoensurethattheprogrammeisputinplaceandgetsswiftlyunderwayandthatitbecomesmainstreambusinessintherelevantdepartments
●● thenecessaryinvestmenttomakereformarealityatalllevels,especiallyonthefrontline–ourproposalshaveimplicationsforresourcesandlegislationwhichthegovernmentwillneedtoworkthroughasquicklyaspossibleifmomentumistobemaintained
●● stronglogisticalsupporttotheprofessiontoenableittoestablishanindependentnationalcollege
●● ensuringtheperformanceindicatorregimesthatinfluencesocialworkdonotprivilegethecompletionofprocessesattheexpenseofservicequalityoroutcomesforserviceusers,andthattheyavoidperverseincentivesandmeasuresforwhichthereisnosupportingevidencebase–assetoutinourinterimreport,theTaskForceheardstrongmessagesthattheprofessionis,inplaces,atriskofbecomingtoomechanisedandde-skilled,throughanoveremphasisoncomplianceratherthanjudgement
●● interveningstronglywheneveranyoftheambitionsandrecommendationsforsocialworksetoutinthisreportareatriskofnotbeingachieved
6.24 SomeofthereformstheTaskForceisrecommendingwilltaketimetobeimplementedinfullandtoproducechangeontheground.Itwillnotbepossibletoputsomeintoeffectuntilthecapacitywithinthesystemhasincreased.Itfollowsthatmanagers,employers,highereducationinstitutionsandregulators,aswellasGovernment,mustallactquicklytoensuretheyareprovidingthebestpossiblesupporttopeoplewhoneedsocialworkservicesnow –andtothepeoplewhoarechargedwithdeliveringtheseservices.
6.25 Inparticular,werecommendthat
●● DCSFandlocalauthoritiesshouldcontinuetoimprovetheIntegratedChildren’sSystem(ICS),bytranslatingnationalspecificationsintotangibleimprovementstolocalsystems,makingICSmorestraightforwardandeffectiveforfrontlinesocialworkersinchildren’sservices
![Page 56: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future56
●● localgovernmentshouldconsiderhowresourcescanbereallocated tomakeadifferenceonthefrontline–centralgovernmentmustsupportlocalgovernmenttomanagehighpressuresonfrontlineservices,includingthroughmakingresourcesavailable
●● employersshouldengageinfrankandopendiscussionswithfrontlinepractitionersandmanagersabouttherealityofpracticeonthefrontline,theburdenspractitionersarecarrying,andhowtheycanimprovecanimproveservices–theymustavoidlettingtheanxietycausedbyunmetneedtobeheldbythemostjuniormembersoftheservice
●● bothformalandinformalpilotingoftheremodellingofsocialworkservicesshouldbeencouragedandincentivized,buildingonwhatisbeinglearntfromworkalreadyunderway
6.26 Takentogether,wefeelthatthefifteencorerecommendationsinthisreportprovideasolidplatformforthereformofthesocialworkprofessionandtheimprovementoffrontlinepractice.Weendthisreportwherewebegan:socialworkhasarrivedatawatershed.Thisisamomentofopportunitythatallofusneedtoseize.
![Page 57: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 57
Annex A: Organisations and workloads
TheSocialWorkTaskForcebelievesthatthepeoplewhoorganise,deliverandreceiveservicesareultimatelybestplacedtounderstandhowlocalservicesshouldwork.However,whenseekingtomakeimprovement,itcanbedifficulttofindthebeststartingpointsforanalysisandthenaction.
AsdiscussedinChapter2ofthisreport,wearepresentinganinitialframeworkforhelpingemployersandpractitionerstotakeactionnowinassessingthe“health”oftheirorganisationontherangeofissuesaffectingworkload.Thisframeworkshouldbedevelopedfurtherinduecourseinsupportoftheproposedstandardforemployers.
Theframeworklooksat5keyareaswhichweknowallmakeasignificantcontributiontothedevelopmentanddeliveryofexcellentservices.
Theframeworkistosupportorganizationstoundertakeaselfassessmentagainstthe5areas,identifycurrentstrengthsandplantotackleareasforimprovement.
Theframeworkisnotdesignedtoactasachecklist,butasamechanismtopromotedebateatalllevelsoftheservice.
Itcanbeusedatteam,serviceandorganisationlevel.Itshouldbethebasisfordiscussionateachoftheselevels,witharequirementinplacethatstaffhavebeeninvolvedintheresponseateachlevelandamechanismforrecordingareasofdisagreement.Wherethisisidentified,amechanismforreviewingtheassessment,usuallybyamanagerofanotherteamoratahigherlevel,shouldbeincluded.
Eachorganisationshouldalsoclarifyhowfrequentlytheywillundertakea“healthcheck”andwhattheprocessforauditandreportingshouldbe,includingatleastanannualreporttoleadmemberforbothadultandchildren’sservices.
![Page 58: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future58
Theframeworkisnotdesignedtobeprescriptiveandcanbeadaptedtomeettheneedsofeachorganisation.However,thefollowingpromptsmaybeofuseinpromotinganalysisanddebate:
Effectiveworkloadmanagement
Vacancyrates–including
●● currentunfilledposts
●● postscoveredbyagency/temporarystaff
●● postswhicharefilledbutwherestaffareabsent(e.g.longtermsick,maternityleave)
●● turnoverrates
Workload–including
●● numbersofcasesheldbyeachfulltimeequivalent
●● averagehoursworkedbystaffonaweeklybasis
●● currentlevelsofTOILandleavetobetakenbyteammembers
●● numberofsupervisionsessionswhichhavetakenplace–isthisinlinewithorganisationalpolicy?
●● staffattendenceatCPDopportunitiesasplannedinperformanceappraisal–howoftenistrainingcancelled/rearranged?
●● additionalresponsibilitiese.g.studentonplacement,actingasmentortootherteammember,undertakingactionresearch
Proactiveworkflowmanagement
●● Numberofunallocatedcases
●● Re-referralrates
●● Changesinworkflowovertime(peaksandtroughs)
●● Howunallocatedcasesareriskassessed
●● Theescalationprocessforunallocatedcasesandalertstoseniormanagers
●● Howmanycasesareallocatedtotheteam/manager/duty
●● Delaysintransferofcasesbetweenteams
●● Howoftenworkersarerequiredtocancelmeetingswithpeoplewhouseservices/otherprofessionalsinanaverageweekduetore-prioritisationofwork
●● Specificblockstoworkflowwhichneedtobeconsiderede.g.efficiencyofcommissionedservices,relationshipswithotheragencies,transferbetweenteams/services
![Page 59: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 59
●● Isthemostefficientuseofskillsbeingmadewithintheteamandwiderservice?Aresocialworkersundertakingtasksforwhichtheirskillsareprimarilyrequiredorcouldtheybedonemoreeffectivelybysomeonewithdifferentskillse.g.anadministrator,paraprofessionalorotherprofessionalgroupeitherwithintheserviceorviaacommissionedarrangement?
Havingtherighttoolstodothejob
Accesstoequipment–mobileworking,ITaccessincludingtotheinternet
Accesstoprofessionalservicestosupportcasework–translators,legaladviceetc
Accesstoresourcese.g.research,libraryfacilities
Appropriateofficespacee.g.desk,officechair,accesstoquietspace.
Ahealthyworkplace
●● Isthereasysteminplacetomonitorfrequencyofsupervisionandqualityofitinordertoensureeffectivepracticeissupported?
●● Is360appraisalinplace?
●● Isthereanemployeewelfaresysteminplaceandarestaffawareofhowtheyaccessit?
●● Howoftendoteammeetingstakeplace?
●● Arestaffabletocontributetotheagenda?
●● Areseniormanagersaccessible/visibleintheservice?
●● Howarestresslevelsmonitoredonanindividualandservicebasis?
●● Isthereawhistleblowingprocessandarestaffawareofwhatthisis?
●● Arethereprocessesinplacetoensurestaffwelfaree.g.riskassessmentsofroles/activities,callback/monitoringprocessestoensuresafetywhilstworkingawayfromtheofficebaseincludingoutofhours?
●● Whatarethesicknesslevelsintheteam/serviceandwhatisthepatternovertime?
EffectiveServiceDelivery
●● Findingsfromcompliments,commentsandcomplaints
●● Feedbackfromserviceusers
●● Feedbackfromstakeholders/otherprofessionals
●● Staffsurveyresults
●● Exitinterviewanalysis
![Page 60: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future60
E�ective workload management
Including case numbers, nature of the work, support systems and levels of skill and experience in teams.
Pro active work�ow management
Including e�ectiveness of practice ie. re-referrals, risk assessment and allocation practice.
Having the right tools to do the job
Including provision of appropriate o�ce environment and administration support, access to professional services, IT and research.
Improved morale, better recruitment and retention
OutcomesEnablers
A healthy work place
Characterised by open communication systems, low levels of sickness, proactive approach to health and safety issues, good sta� retention levels and e�ective supervision and line management support.
E�ective service delivery
From the perspective of people who use services, sta�, stakeholders and performance and inspection review.
![Page 61: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 61
Annex B: Facing up to the Task: the interim report of the Social Work Task Force
ExecutiveSummary
Introduction
Whenpeoplearemadevulnerable–bypoverty,bereavement,addiction,isolation,mentaldistress,disability,neglect,abuseorothercircumstances–whathappensnextmattershugely.Ifoutcomesarepoor,ifdependencybecomesingrainedorharmgoesunchecked,individuals,families,communitiesandtheeconomycanpayaheavyprice.
Goodsocialworkerscananddomakeahugedifferenceinthesedifficultsituations.Theyareneedednowasmuch,ifnotmore,thanever.Theirprofessionalskillsandknowledgecanhelppeopletotakebackcontroloftheirlives,throughagenuinepartnershipbetweenthesocialworkerandtheserviceuser.Whenthisisnotpossible,andpeopleareatseriousandsignificantrisk,socialworkerscanusestatutorypowerstoresolvethecrisis.
Aprofessionthatmeetstheseexpectationswillneedtohavecertaincharacteristics.
Ourvisionforsocialworkisaprofession
●● confidentaboutitsvalues,purposeandidentity
●● workinginpartnershipwithpeoplewhouseitsservices,sothattheycantakecontroloftheirsituationandimprovetheoutcome
●● workingcohesivelywithotherprofessionsandagenciesinthebestinterestsofpeopleinneedofsupport
●● demonstratingitsimpactandeffectivenessand,therefore,itspublicvalue
●● committedtocontinuousimprovement,withthetrainingandresourcesitneedstobeeffectiveandavigorouscultureofprofessionaldevelopment
●● understoodandsupportedbyemployers,educators,government,otherprofessionalsandthewiderpublic
●● wellledateverylevel:infrontlinepractice;ininfluencingtheshapeandprioritiesoflocalservices;insettingandmaintainingthehighestpossiblestandardswithintheprofession;andininfluencingpolicydevelopmentsandprioritiesatnationalandpoliticallevel
![Page 62: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future62
Socialworkersmustplayaleadingroleinkeepadultsandchildrensafeandthrivingbutcannotactsuccessfullyontheirown:theyrelyoncooperationandactionbyotheragenciesandprofessions.Atatimeofmoreintegratedworkingamongprofessions,andmorepersonalisedwaysofdeliveringservices,everyoneconcernedneedstobeclearandconfidentaboutthedistinctiveskills,powersandresponsibilitiesthatsocialworkershavetooffer.
SocialworkinEnglandtoday
ThefirstreportoftheSocialWorkTaskForcesetoutsixmainthemesaboutthecurrentobstaclestothedeliveryofconsistentlyhighqualitysocialworkacrossthecountry,astheyhademergedfrominitialevidencegatheringandextensivediscussionwithstakeholders.
Theme 1 “Wehavebeentoldthatsocialworkersdonothaveenoughtimetodevotedirectlytothepeopletheywanttohelp.Theyareoverstretchedbystaffshortagesandtiedupinbureaucracy.”
Theme 2 “Wehavebeentoldthatsocialworkersarenotbeinggiventhetoolsandsupporttheyneedtodotheirjobs.”
Theme 3 “Wehavebeentoldthatnewsocialworkersareoftennotproperlypreparedforthedemandsofthejob.Theeducationsystemdoesnoteffectivelysupportongoingdevelopmentandspecialisation.”
Theme 4 “Wehavebeentoldthatthesocialworkprofessiondoesnothaveastrongnationalvoiceandisnotwellsupportedatnationallevel.”
Theme 5 “Wehavebeentoldthatsystemsformanagingtheperformanceofsocialworkersarenotdrivingqualityfirstandforemost.”
Theme 6 “Wehavebeentoldthatthesocialworkprofessionisunder-valued,poorlyunderstoodandundercontinuousmediaattack.Thisismakingithardforsocialworkerstodotheirjobsandhardtoattractpeopleintotheprofession.”
TheTaskForcehassincesoughtfurtherevidenceandviewsonthesixthemesinordertodrawitsinitialconclusionsaboutthecurrentstateofsocialworkinEngland.Responsestoourfirstreport,includingthroughourCallforEvidencesurvey,showthatthesethemesresonatestronglywithinandbeyondtheprofession.
Ourfindingstodate,andtheevidencebehindthem,aresetoutindetailinChapter1.WehavedevelopedastrongpictureofthestateofsocialworkinEnglandtodayandthenatureandscaleofthechallenge.Insummary
●● Socialworkisstrugglingtoholditsownasadurable,attractivepublicsectorprofession.Widespreadstaffingshortagesareseriouslycompromisingitsabilitytodeliverqualityonthefrontline.
●● Thecurrentmixofpracticalandprofessionalsupporttofrontlinesocialworkersisinconsistentandsometimesinadequate.Tobeeffective,socialworkersneedappropriatetechnologyandequipment,secureaccesstosupervisionandrobustsourcesofresearchandinformation–andenoughtimetomakegooduseofalloftheseresources.
![Page 63: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/63.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 63
●● Currentarrangementsforeducation,trainingandcareerprogressionarenotproducing–orretaining–enoughsocialworkerssuitedtothefulldemandsoffrontlinepractice.Thereissimplynotenoughsharedunderstandingaboutthedivisionofresponsibilitiesineducationandtrainingamonghighereducationinstitutions,employersandsocialworkersthemselves.
●● Socialworklacksasinglelocusofresponsibilityforpromotingtheprofession,improvingpublicunderstanding,spreadingbestpracticeanddrivingupitsstandards.Socialworkersareunsureaboutwheretolookforleadershipoftheirprofession,andforrepresentationinthepolicydebatesthatshapepracticeandconditionsonthefrontline.
●● Socialworkisinneedofacleareraccountofhowitseffectivenessshouldbejudged.Currently,somepartsoftheprofessionfeelitisatriskofbecoming“de-skilled”andtoomechanisedinitsapproach.
●● Thedistinctroleofsocialworkersinmodernpublicservicesisunclear.Thishasconsequencesonseveralfronts:howsocialworkersaredeployed;theattitudesandexpectationsofserviceusersandotherprofessionals;thecapacityoftheprofessiontoattractnewrecruits;theformationofpolicy;andthepoorimageoftheprofessioninthepublicandthemedia.
Manyoftheseweaknessescanendupcompoundingoneanother,causingaviciouscircleinwhichserviceimprovementbecomeshardtoachieve.Thepoorpublicimageandunderstandingofsocialworkcreateproblemsforrecruitmentintotheprofession.Combinedwithdifficultiesineducatingandtrainingsocialworkers,theycontributetothestaffingshortageswhichcompromisetheprofession’sabilitytodeliveragoodservice,andwhichputpressureontheworkloadsofexistingstaff.Thesepressurescaninturnsqueezeouttimespentwithserviceusersandtimespentonsupervision,reflectionandanalysis,allofwhichmakepossiblethefinejudgementsattheheartofsuccessfulsocialwork.
Thissituationisfurtheraggravatedwhenpracticalresourcesaremissingornotfullysuitedtothedemandsofthefrontline,andwhenmanagementsystemsseemtoprivilegeprocessovereffectiveness,absorbingmoresocialworkertime.Thecumulativeeffectmeansthatitcanbehardtoretainstaff,feedingbackintoshortages.
Lackofleadershipforsocialworkasawholemeansthatproblemsarenotyetchallengedeffectivelyastheyemergeandcoalesce,andthattheprofessionisnotinpositiontobothdriveupanddefenditsstandards.
TheTaskForcerecognisesthattherehasbeensignificantinvestmentandreforminsocialworkinrecentdecades.However,webelievethatsocialworkhasfailedtobenefitfullyfromtheseopportunitiesbecausetheprofessionhasnotenjoyedstrongleadership,self-confidenceoraclear,sharedunderstandingofthecontributionitcanmaketobetteroutcomes;andbecausereformhaslackedthenecessaryscopeandambition.Reformshavebeentakenforwardin‘silos’,withoutfullpartnershipandsharedunderstandingbetweeneveryonewhoneedstobeinvolved–includingserviceusers–andwithoutfullrecognitionofhowdifferentpartsofthesysteminfluenceoneanother.
![Page 64: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future64
ThefutureofsocialworkinEngland
Thereisnowanopportunitytogetthingsright.Wewanttherecommendationsinourfinalreporttoactasacatalystforsuccessfulreform.Ourrecommendationstogovernmentwillbuildonwhatisbestintheprofessionandthecurrentsystem,andbeinformedbythefourprinciplessetoutbelow.
Reformmust
●● bebasedonpartnership,withgovernment,theprofessionandallpartsofthesystemwhichsupportsittakingresponsibilityforchange
●● beunderpinnedbyasharedunderstandingoftheroleandpurposeofsocialwork
●● recognisethatchangetakestime,andmakethebestpossibleuseofavailableresources
●● addressthefullrangeoffactorswhichinfluencetheworkforce
Reform: building blocks and recommendations
Thisdiagramshowsthe“buildingblocks”ofthereformprogrammewhichtheSocialWorkTaskForcewillputforwardinourfinalreportlaterthisyear.Eachbuildingblockwillbeessentialtosuccessfulreformandeachhasavitalroleinsupportingtheothers.
Highquality,appropriateinitialtraining
Resourceswhichsupportandenableeffective
practice
Strongnationalprofessionalleadership
Highqualityongoingtraininganddevelopment
SupplyStrategy–understandingdemandandinfluencingsupply
Publicvalueandunderstanding
Clearrolesandcareerstructure
Inspectionandaccountabiltyregimesupportingimproved
outcomes
Deliverysystemprovidingstronglocalandnational
leadership
Foundedonaclearunderstandingoftheworkthatweneedsocialworkersfor,andofhowtheireffectivepracticecanimproveoutcomes
Chapter2discussessomeoftheissuesthatneedtobeaddressedinrelationtoeachofthesebuildingblocks,andtheconnectionsbetweenthem.ItalsosetsoutsomeofthepossiblesolutionsthattheTaskForcewillbeconsideringanddiscussingwiththesectoroverthecomingmonths.
Wearealreadyclearthatourrecommendationswilladdressthefollowing.
![Page 65: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/65.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 65
The creation of a national college for social work
Thisisneededtogivetheprofessionastrongerandmorecohesivefocusandvoice.Itcouldplayanimportantroleinrepresentingsocialworkinpublicdebatesandpolicydevelopment,promotingtheprofessionandimprovingpublicunderstanding,spreadingbestpracticeanddrivingupstandards.
Greater partnership between employers and educators for the improvement of social work education
Assuringthequalityofentrantsintothesocialworkprofession,andcreatingacultureofcontinuouslearninganddevelopmentonthefrontline,bothdependonaneweraofimprovedpartnershipbetweenemployersandeducators.
Clearer career progression
Socialworkneedsacommoncareerstructurewhichrewardsexpertiseinfrontlinepracticeandiscloselylinkedtotrainingandprofessionaldevelopment.Wearealsolookingathowthisshouldrelatetoarrangementsfordeterminingpayatlocalornationallevel.
A much more sophisticated understanding of supply and demand
TheTaskForcebelievesthatabrighterfutureforsocialworkdependsonanappropriatesupplyofsuitablyqualifiedapplicantsintostableteamswiththerightmixofexperience.Thesupply,recruitmentandretentionofsocialworkersisthereforeacentralissueforreform.Asaprerequisiteforimprovement,thereneedtoberobustanddurablearrangementsforunderstandingandforecastingsupplyanddemandacrosstrainingandthejobmarket.Thiswillbeneededtoinformworkforceplanningatlocallevel,nationalrecruitmentcampaigns,andtheplanningandresourcingoftrainingprovision.
Securing the resources social workers need to be effective
Inordertomakearealdifferencetothosetheyworkwith,socialworkersneed
●● timetospendworkingdirectlywithserviceusers,theirfamilies/communitiesandotherprofessionalswhohavearoleinsupportingthemandtoreflectontheiractions,adviceandjudgements
●● highqualityprofessionalsupervisionandtimeforreflectivepracticeandcontinuingprofessionaldevelopment
●● manageableworkloadsforfrontlinepractitionersandmanagers
●● basictools,includingITandcommunicationstechnologywhichworkeffectively
●● accesstoresearchandlearningabouthowtheirpracticecanhavemostimpact
Tosupportthis,theprofessionneedsclearguidanceabouthowtimeshouldbespent,howsupervisionandCPDcanbeprotectedandhowworkloadscanbemanaged.Wewillalsomakerecommendationsinourfinalreportabouthowre-modellingcanhelptomakebestuseofprofessionalsocialworktime,andalsodrawontheresourcesofothersinsocialcareandadministrativeroles,toprovideefficientandeffectiveservices.
![Page 66: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/66.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future66
FollowingtheadvicefromtheSocialWorkTaskForceinMay,theGovernmenthascommittedtoimprovementstotheIntegratedChildren’sSystem(ICS),anissuewhichhasbeenofgreatconcerntofrontlinepractitionersinchildren’sservices.Theseimprovementsnowneedtobemadearealityatnationalandlocallevel.TheTaskForcewillstayengagedinmakingsurechangestakeholdandmakethedifferencethatisneeded.
A clearer common understanding of the role and purpose of social work
TheTaskForcehasdevelopedanewdescriptionofsocialworkasafirststeptowardsamuchstrongercommonunderstandingoftheroleandpurposeoftheprofession.IthasbeendevelopedinplainEnglishtohelptheprofessionmeetthechallengeofexplainingwhatitdoestoserviceusersandthepublic.Thisclearerunderstanding,alongwithitsimplicationsfortherolesandtasksofsocialworkerscanorshouldperformandtheskillsandknowledgetheyneed,willbecomethefoundationstoneofthereformprogramme.Wewillbetakingforwardfurtherwork,withpartners,todevelopacleararticulationoftheserequirements,toinformourfinalrecommendations.Thedescriptionissetoutbelowanddiscussedinmoredetailinchapter2.
![Page 67: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/67.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 67
PublicDescriptionofSocialWork
Social work helpsadultsandchildrentobesafesotheycancopeandtakecontroloftheirlivesagain
Social workers makelifebetterforpeopleincrisiswhoarestrugglingtocope,feelaloneandcannotsortout theirproblemsunaided
How social workersdo thisdependsonthecircumstances.Usuallytheyworkinpartnershipwiththepeopletheyaresupporting–checkoutwhattheyneed,findwhatwillhelpthem,buildtheirconfidence,andopendoorstootherservices.Sometimes,inextremesituationssuchaswherepeopleareatriskofharmorindangerofhurtingothers,socialworkershavetotakestrongeraction–andtheyhavethelegalpowersanddutiestodothis.
You may think you already do this for your friends and familybutsocialworkershavespecialisttraininginfullyanalysingproblemsandunmetneeds,inhowpeopledevelopandrelatetoeachother,inunderstandingthechallengingcircumstancessomepeopleface,andinhowbesttohelpthemcopeandmakeprogress.Theyarequalifiedtotellwhenpeopleareindangerofbeingharmedorharmingothersandknowwhenandhowtousetheirlegalpowersandresponsibilitiesinthesesituations.
You may think that you’ll never need a social workerbutthereisawiderangeofsituationswhereyouoryourfamilymightneedone,suchas
●● caringforfamilymembers
●● havingproblemswithfamilyrelationshipsandconflict
●● strugglingwithchallengesofgrowingold
●● sufferingseriouspersonaltroublesandmentaldistress
●● havingdrugandalcoholproblems
●● facingdifficultiesasaresultofdisability
●● beingisolatedwithinthecommunity
●● havingpracticalproblemswithmoneyorhousing
Wherewethinkitisneededtoachievereform,wewillalsomakerecommendationsforchangestoinspection,regulation,andtheactivities,rolesorremitsofthenationalorganisationswhichsupportsocialwork.
Muchofthisreportisinevitablyfocusedonsocialworkinthestatutorysector.ThisisthebedrockofsocialworkinEngland.Itisalsowherechallengesaremostwidespreadandmostacute.However,asaTaskForce,weareveryawareofthediversesettingsinwhichsocialworkersoperate.Wearedeterminedtodevelopproposalsthatwillliftthewholeprofessionandbefeltineverysetting.
![Page 68: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/68.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future68
Nextsteps
TheTaskForcewillcontinuetogatherevidenceabouttheissuesfacingsocialwork.Wewill,forinstance,completeourliteraturereviewandtheanalysisofsubmissionstoourCallforEvidence,withaparticularemphasisonsolutionsandgoodpracticethatcouldinformourrecommendations.Wearedevelopingaquestionnairetohelpwithgatheringtheviewsonsocialworkofserviceusersandwewillworkwitharangeoforganisationsthatcanhelpusinthistask.Wewillalsoreceivefindingsfromourworkloadsurvey,whichwillhelpustoestablishamuchclearer,detailedpictureofhowsocialworkersspendtheirtimeandthepressuresandinfluencesinvolved.
Wealsoawait,andwillconsider,thefindingsoftheChildren,SchoolsandFamiliesSelectCommitteereportintoTheTrainingofChildrenandFamiliesSocialWorkersandwillconsidertheirrecommendations.
However,wehaveidentifiedatthisstagemuchofwhatneedstochangeinordertodelivercomprehensivereform.Ourtasknowistoputtogetheradetailedprogrammeofreformwhichwilldeliverourvisionofastrongandconfidentsocialworkprofessionformanyyearstocome.
Wewillcontinuetodiscussourfindingswithfrontlineprofessionals,serviceusersandotherkeypartnerstomakesurethatourdetailedrecommendationstakeaccountofthechangestheybelieveareneeded.Wewillbetalkingtohighereducationinstitutions,employers,regulators,andotherkeypartnersinsocialworkreformaboutwhattheycandotodelivertherightenvironmentfortheprofessiontochangeandgrow.Wewillcontinueourworkonimprovingtheunderstandingofsocialwork,buildingonthenewdescriptionwehaveputforwardinthisreport.
![Page 69: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/69.jpg)
The final report of the Social Work Task Force 69
Annex C: Membership of the Social Work Task Force
Moira Gibb CBE Chief Executive, Camden Borough Council
Andrew Webb Corporate Director, Children & Young People, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Anne Beales MBEDirector of Service-user Involvement, Together – Working for Wellbeing
Bob ReitemeierChief Executive, The Children’s Society
Bridget RobbCollege Development Manager, British Association of Social Workers
Celia Atherton OBEDirector of Social Justice, Dartington
Deidre SandersProblem Page Editor, The Sun
Diane MallettSenior Practitioner & Practice Teacher, Darton Social Services
Helga PileNational Officer for Social Care, UNISON
Jamaila TausifTeam Manager, Stoke-On-Trent City Council
James ReillyDirector of Community Services, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Jivan SembiHead of Safeguarding, Coventry City Council
Kim Bromley-Derry Executive Director of Children’s Services, Newham Council
![Page 70: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/70.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future70
Maxine Wrigley MBE National Coordinator, A National Voice (Head Office)
Neil Wragg MBE Chief Executive Officer, Youth at Risk
Richard Jones Executive Director, Adult & Community Services, Lancashire County Council
Sue Butcher Head of Children and Young People’s Services, Gloucestershire County Council
Sue White Professor of Social Work, Lancaster University
![Page 71: Building a safe, confident future · 4 Building a safe, confident future We know also that capacity across the social work service is very stretched. It will be difficult for those](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051921/600edd125936ea4dba09b36f/html5/thumbnails/71.jpg)
Building a safe, confident future
The final report of the Social Work Task Force: November 2009
Build
ing a safe, co
nfid
ent future The final rep
ort o
f the So
cial Wo
rk Task Fo
rce
The Social Work Task Force is an expert group, jointly appointed by the Secretaries of State for Health, and Children, Schools and Families, to advise the Government on social work reform
You can download this publication online at http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk
Search using ref: DCSF-01114-2009
ISBN: 978-1-84775-588-9
D16(8480)/1109
© Crown copyright 2009
Extracts from this document may be reproduced for non-commercial research, education or training purposes on the condition that the source is acknowledged. For any other use please contact [email protected]
8480-DCSF-Final Report on Social Work Task Force-COVER.indd 1 30/11/2009 14:28