Professional Social Work: Part of the solution Innovations in workforce development Dr Ruth Allen CEO British Association of Social Workers
The social work workforce now • 115,000 across UK • 92,200 in England • c. 32,000 fte (35%) in statutory children’s services (2015) • c. 18,500 fte (21%) in adult statutory services (SfC 2016) • Regulated separately in each nation of the UK • 130 graduate and postgraduate routes into training in 70+ institutions • In England c. 4700 graduates: Just keeps pace with leavers, declining trend • Step Up and Apprenticeships: employer oriented • In England new controversial fast track programmes: leadership and innovation oriented DRAFT
Social work and innovation • Social work has too often been the ‘recipient’ of innovation ideas and not the recognised agent: • Managerialism • Care Management in adults • Top down reform • Under-rewarded professional careers • Lack of direct connection with evaluation, evidence creation and research • Caseloads and bureaucracy • Lack of consistent CPD framework (esp in England) DRAFT
Hot off the press – Social work and the workplace research (Bath Spa Uni with SWU and BASW) • Repeats past findings on poor working conditions • Worst for children’s services • High caseloads, too little time and bureaucracy were top problems along with ….. • Too little control at work • Long hours • Peer support from other social workers was key mitigating factor DRAFT
Hot off the press – Social work and the workplace research (Bath Spa Uni with SWU and BASW) • Top line messages for harnessing social work innovation • Enable professional control and autonomy • Have sensible demand management and ergonomics for better productivity • Create learning cultures • Regulate for professionalism • Build on the power of peer professional networks • Develop effective, profession-led CPD that includes leadership and innovation • Develop the professional body - BASW DRAFT
The Professional Capabilities Framework • Developed by TCSW and transferred to BASW when the College closed • Being refreshed in partnership with RiP/fa • Retaining its integrity as whole profession CPD framework • Focus on leadership, co- production, whole career ambition DRAFT
Social workers making the difference: examples • Principal Social Workers network: An effective, replicated leadership role leading to cultural and practice profession-led change through peer networking • Approved Mental Health Professionals leads network: Self-organised leadership • Restorative Practice in Leeds adults’ services: Enabling strengths based practice and co-production • BASW and CQC collaborating to raise profile and good practice of social workers as commissioners of residential care placements DRAFT
• Ruth.allen@basw.co.uk • #ruthallenonline DRAFT
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