Welcome to Community Care's online discussion forum Have your say which offers the opportunity to air your views on a controversial subject.
This week's subject is the proposal from the government's workforce action team for more unqualified staff to be involved in mental health work.
What do you think of this idea? Is there a place for more unqualified staff performing basic care tasks? Or is this more erosion of a skilled sector?
To Have your say just click here
Last week's issue was the government's new recruitment campaign for social workers. Here are the responses we received:
"I feel a campaign that tries to raise its image needs to look at pay. I also feel that it is time the renumeration of practice teachers is looked at. Surely such action may lead to a higher level of qualified practitioners."
Lorna Riley
"I read your article (Community Care issue 23 to 29 August) regarding the above, with interest.
I am personally sick to death of the poor attitude towards and payment of social workers. When I began my social work career in the late 70's I knew the future would not be paved with gold, and I did not expect to make a fortune. However enough is enough. I now advise anyone who asks me about becoming a social worker (there are so few people of late) not to do so for the reasons outlined in the article.
I still enjoy my work in child protection but does that mean that I have to be so poorly paid as a result?? I support national full industrial action and strike action if necessary for however long it takes to attempt to obtain a fair wage.
As for the poor image of the profession, who does John Ransford think are the worst offenders in this regard??? His own (and previous) colleagues and government ministers.
Why not ask the readership for their comments on a national strike for fair pay???"
Paul Marron,
London E7
"I think that any publicity that encourages people to not only use the social work service, but also provides information for potential social workers can only be a positive step. The issue that most of this publicity will be in the south only adds to the mythical north/south divide. Living in the north of the country there are also the same problems of not only recruitment but also the negative image of the profession.
Pay rises will obviously encourage more people to stay more time in the profession as money is the biggest motivator isn't it?
The downside to this is that this may produce a situation like we are seeing in the teaching profession where recruitment is not the real problem, but retention of good staff. Money may well be better spent in supporting the existing staff with training, support and possibly incentives to continue in their chosen profession."
Simon Hunter
Student Social Worker
Buxton, Derbyshire
