Standing up for Social Work
As yet another Children’s Services Department comes under pressure from a damning report (see BBC story), it’s worth sparing a moment for the Social Work profesion. Despite a new TV advertising campaign, the profession can’t seem to get any respect and the disincentive for quality candidates to choose Social Work can only serve to worsen the current crisis.
I act for Local Authorities on a fairly regular basis and have recently conducted with colleagues a 4-day training course for Social Workers. The reality is that, whilst there are some bad social workers, as there ae bad lawyers, shop assistants and doctors, the vast vast majority work over the hours in the hardest of circumstances with those in most need. The pay of social work is not good (save perhaps for Directors!), the clients are never grateful for the intervention and the work prssures placed upon them due to chronic under-funding of the departments over many years, is terrible. That is to say nothing of the red-tape that leaves many social workers longing for the days when they could actaully focus on service-users.
The relaity is that whilst mistakes are made and things are missed, it is not due to individual failings but an inevitable consequence of an under-funded system where many are de-moralised and unable to focus on the key tasks. Another review and yet more threats of ’special measures’ will ensue, but what is really required is a government that takes social care seriously and is willing to put more resources behind these over-worked professionals.