Policy Development
The College will establish itself at the forefront of policy development in social work.
Through our Policy Development Group (PDG) we will bring together social workers from front-line practice, along with managers and service users, all of whom have a strong commitment to the development of The College as a thought leader in social work policy. Among the PDG’s main purposes will be to provide The College with the tools to promote and advance the interests of social work in all relevant aspects of policy and research, and to influence government wherever policy and legislation impact on issues that affect social workers.The PDG is part of The College’s Policy and Communications Unit and will report to The Professional Assembly.
Our policy priorities will be decided shortly after The College launch on January 3, but existing ones include:
- Developing a robust stance on cuts in services and their impact on social workers and service users
- Supporting the new Employer Standards and the provision of structured support for social workers
- Developing clear arguments to strengthen the position of social workers working in adults services
- Supporting the improvement of initial and post-qualifying education and training standards
- Working to produce clear career frameworks and guidance on the specific capabilities that social workers must display at all stages of their careers.
Social work reform - What have we been doing?
We are already actively involved in the development of a number of the key social work reform initiatives: The Social Work Reform Board
The Social Work Reform Board (SWRB) is overseeing a major programme of social work reform and has recently published its first report Building a safe and confident future: One year on – progress report The Social Work Reform Board (SWRB) has developed recommendations to establish a Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), Employer Standards and a framework for continuing professional development. The College is now fully responsible for the PCF and we are taking forward further work to develop it.
The Munro Review
The College of Social Work made a significant contribution to Professor Eileen Munro’s review of child protection in England.
Our Interim Co-Chair Professor Corinne May-Chahal chaired the Munro review’s Media and Public Confidence sub group, one of the results of which will be a model strategy for responding to the media during a child protection crisis.
The General Social Care Council (GSCC) and the Health Professions Council
In 2012, the regulatory functions of the social work profession will transfer from the General Social Care Council’s (GSCC) to the Health Professions Council (HPC).
We are working with the HPC who will regulate the profession to provide public protection and will set threshold professional standards for social workers. The role of The College will be to support and enable social workers to achieve standards of excellence, helping them to meet and exceed the regulator’s requirements for public protection.
We are also working with the GSCC and we will take on aspects of their work that will not transfer to the HPC. Position statements – Where do we stand?
We are currently working to develop positions on the following policies Professional standards
The Reform Board recommended the establishment of a Professional Capabilities Framework for professional practice. This national framework acts as a benchmark, ensuring that social work students, educators, practitioners, managers and employers are able to uphold the highest possible standards and deliver the best quality of service. The College is now responsible for the PCF.
Describing social work and its reserved functions
We are currently working to develop a clear statement outlining exactly what social work is. This document will clarify the essential core tasks of social work and will examine whether those tasks need to be reserved to registered social workers. We will consult with our members as we draw up our proposals and then submit any formal proposals to a wide consultation exercise
Professional futures
We will identify both the serious challenges that the social work profession faces and the opportunities for improvement and change.
Responding to consultations
We want to make sure that our members are always given the opportunity to help shape and influence the future of the social work profession. When The College responds to government and other consultations we will ask our members to help us frame those responses. We will listen to your concerns and hopes, and accurately reflect your views when communicating with government, policy makers and the media.
Please visit the consultations page where you will find more information about past consultations and information on how you can get involved in any current consultations.
Policy Team
Owen Davies, Public Affairs Advisor, owen.davies@tcsw.org.uk or call 020 7024 7715.
Mark Ivory, Policy and Communications Manager, mark.ivory@tcsw.org.uk or call 020 7024 7706.
Policy Development Group members (email PDG@tcsw.org.uk)
Richard Barker (chair), emeritus professor of child welfare, University of Northumbria
Corinne May-Chahal, professor of applied social science, Lancaster University, and chair of The College of Social Work Professional Assembly
Professor Jill Manthorpe, director of the Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College London
Brian Walsh, director of adult social services, Coventry Council
Eileen Munro, professor of social policy, London School of Economics
Helen Watson, director of children’s services, South Tyneside Council
Brendan Blair, deputy chair, Approved Mental Health Professional Leads Network
Brigid Daniel, professor of social work, University of Stirling
Sue Bott, director, National Centre for Independent Living
Alison Tasker, social worker and member of The College of Social Work Professional Assembly
Jamie Middleton, mental health social worker and member of The College of Social Work Professional Assembly
Luke Geoghegan, former warden of Toynbee Hall
June Thoburn, emeritus professor of social work, University of East Anglia
Steve McIntosh, policy and public affairs manager, Carers UK