Practical advice for hard-pressed social workers
06 July 2009
Practical advice for hard-pressed social workers
Aspect – the Association of Professionals in Education and Children’s Trusts – is publishing today much-needed practical advice for social workers and their managers.
Using the common law “duty of care”, the GSCC Code of Practice, and statutory requirements, a new100-page booklet What If? provides a contractual framework which explains how social work staff, managers and students can and should raise concerns effectively about both their working environment and the environment of care – to safeguard staff and service users and their carers. It includes a range of practical advice including pro forma letters to lay an audit trail and raise concerns.
Author Roger Kline said: “Social work is in the national spotlight. The Social Work Taskforce recommendations will be published against a backdrop of already inadequate local service budgets in many areas. Workloads are likely to remain high. More stringent thresholds and eligibility criteria can present staff with real ethical dilemmas.
“Social workers and their managers are under stress too often facing excessive workloads, inappropriate delegation of work and inadequate support and supervision. This advice addresses such concerns, in realistic terms.”
Professor Ann Davis CEIMH, Birmingham University said: ‘An essential and accessible guide for all those working in social care services. It addresses the issues which lie at the heart of improving both services and the working environment of practioners.’
Professor Michael Preston-Shoot Bedfordshire University said: ‘For every registered social worker, who believes that registration does or should make a difference, and who is concerned about some aspects of their lived experience of work, then this publication is both timely and helpful. It addresses serious issues which we know impact on social workers. It provides accessible guidance about how to respond which will help you to make a real difference to standards of practice and the management of practice.’ ENDS
1 What if? is free to Aspect members and £10 (+P&P) for non members, discounts are available for bulk orders. For full details of prices and how to order What if? please visit http://www.aspect.org.uk/socialcare/book/
2 Aspect is the only professional association and trade union exclusively representing professionals working in educational improvement, social care and children’s services. It maintains an autonomous section for social care professionals.
These professionals play a vital role in shaping and influencing the lives of millions of children and young people.
Aspect members include social care professionals, advisory headteachers, directors and managers of children’s services, school improvement and early years advisers, education welfare officers, 14-19 coordinators, heads of Sure Start, Ofsted inspectors, Early Years Professionals, parent partnership staff and self-employed consultants. Over the past five years, membership has doubled and Aspect now represents over 4,000 professionals working in the field.
Association of Professionals in Education and Children’s Trusts Woolley Hall, Woolley, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 2JR
info@aspect.org.uk
www.aspect.org.uk
Roger Kline author of What if? Mobile 07545 504262
Nick Wright Aspect Communications mobile 07976943514 office 01226 383428
