SOME ASPECTS OF REFORMING THE SOCIAL WORK ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN GREAT BRITAIN

The author of the article has analyzed particular aspects of social work organization and the training of social workers in Great Briatain at the present stage. Social work and social work education are undergoing change as a suite of reforms recommended by the Social Work Task Force and further developed by the Social Work Reform Board take effect. At the same time the Health and Care professions Council (HCPC) has become the new regulator for social work and a new professional body - The College of Social Work (TCSW) has been established. The reforms were developed by listening to and working with social workers, social work students, employers, universities, people who use services and carers and researchers over a 2 year period with the aim of improving practice and raising the profile of the profession. They affect all social workers and social work students. The following components of the reforms have been identified: 1. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – The New Regulator 2. The College of Social Work (TCSW) – The Newly Established Professional Body 3. The Professional Capabilities Framework - A Framework for All Social Workers to Support Learning, Progression and Development throughout Their Career 4. Strengthening Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 5. Employer Standards 6. Strengthened Partnership Arrangements between HEIs and Employers 7. Changes to Design and Delivery of the Social Work Degree 8. Practice Learning and the Role of Practice Educators 9. Working with people who Use Services and Carers 10. The Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) Next steps in the reform are the following: Employers are beginning to support staff in becoming familiar with the PCF, to embed this new framework into supervision and appraisal schemes and to support staff in identifying learning needs and undertaking CPD opportunities. CPD can be achieved through a range of different learning opportunities as identified above, but can include a range of PQ courses. All social work degree courses are currently revising their admissions and selection procedures, curriculum and practice learning arrangements to meet the HCPC standards and TCSW criteria. The new arrangements for placements will took effect from October 2013 and all students were assessed against the HCPC standards and the relevant level of the professional capabilities framework. Placements in the private, voluntary, statutory and independent sector are being audited to make sure that they meet the new requirements and partners are working to ensure that there are sufficient practice educators in place that meet the Practice Educator Professional Standards. The Universities are continuing to offer the Step-up to Social Work programme in conjunction with regional/local employers. Social workers have a professional responsibility, set out in the PCF, to contribute to the development of the next generation of social workers. Practitioners can do this through supervision and support for students on placement, giving feedback on practice, or allowing shadowing opportunities. They might also get involved with the university to teach or advise on the way their programmes are put together and delivered. Such activities can also contribute to CPD.