This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Independent group to shape future of social work
30/06/2004
What is the task of social workers in the modern era?
How can we ensure consistent high standards in service
delivery? These are just two of the key issues to be
explored by an independent group which will consider the
future of social work.
Education Minister Peter Peacock announced today the
remit and membership of 21st Century Social Work, the group
established to help define the future role for social work
and social workers.
The group will be chaired by William Roe and will ask
fundamental questions about:
- the modern day role of social workers
- the profession's leadership and management
- how to improve quality assurance and how best to
deliver services
- whether the current legislative framework is still
suitable
Mr Peacock said:
"The task of social work, and the interventions we ask
social workers to make on our behalf into the lives of
individuals and families, has developed enormously over the
past 35 years. A number of recent events have made it
vital that we ask searching questions about how we can
strengthen the contribution social work can make into the
future - being much clearer about what we expect of social
workers.
"The vast majority of our social workers do an excellent
job in their demanding and complex roles, but there have
also been tragic examples of services failing to put the
needs of individuals first. That must change.
"21st Century Social Work will work with a range of
interests including service users and carers, front-line
staff, employers and unions, to define social workers' role
and establish how best social work can contribute to modern
integrated services."
Deputy Education Minister Euan Robson said:
"We have been taking steps to strengthen the social
work profession through a range of recruitment and
retention measures including our on-going campaign - Care
in Scotland, an incentive scheme for social work graduates
and £11 million to boost training. We have more social
workers in Scotland than ever before, but the demand for
their services is growing which is why 21st Century Social
Work is so important.
"It is an opportunity for a fundamental look at the
tasks of social work in the modern era and for people to
have their say in shaping proposals that will give social
workers the framework for improved and consistently high
performance."
William Roe said:
"The future of social work services is a matter for
everyone in Scotland and I want to make sure as many as
possible have a say. Everyday, committed social workers
work to make our society a better place. 21st Century
Social Work is about harnessing what they do that is
uniquely valuable and creating the best conditions for that
to flourish. I'm delighted to be leading this work."
21st Century Social Work builds on Mr Peacock's
commitment to have a fundamental look at social work as
part of the Executive's response to the Borders social
services report (published May 6, 2004)
21st Century Social Work group members include:
- William Roe (chairman) - Rocket Science chairman
and independent consultant
- Douglas Bulloch - Chairman, Scottish Children's
Reporter Administration
- Alan Campbell - Chief Executive, Aberdeenshire
Council
- Stephen Ebbitt - Chief Executive, Glasgow Simon
Community
- Martin Hill - Director, Service Development,
Lanarkshire Health Board
- Alexis Jay - Director of Social Work, West
Dunbartonshire Council, and President ADSW
- Anne-Marie Rafferty - Area Services Manager, East,
Glasgow City Council Social Work Department
- Deirdre Watson - Director, Who Cares? Scotland
- Professional Advisor - Carole Wilkinson, Chief
Executive, Scottish Social Services Council
Further appointments are expected to be made to the
group, including a senior police officer, a head teacher
from an integrated community school, senior academic and a
leading representative from the private sector.
William Roe has extensive experience of social services
having graduated in social science and worked for Shelter,
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, and other
social service organisations. As a public service
consultant for the last 15 years he has specialised in
strategic change and innovation, promoting improved public
services and long-term trends and futures.
The group will work with social workers, professional
bodies, employers, unions and the public. It will also be
informed by the on-going children's hearings review, child
protection reform programme and the consultation on
reducing re-offending. It is expected this work will last
for a year.
The Executive's Care in Scotland campaign will continue
to support recruitment and retention of social work and
care staff:
www.careinscotland.co.uk