News

"Too much paperwork, too little time spent with clients" is a common refrain among social workers and one that is at last being heard if recent developments are anything to go by. The interim findings of the 21st century review of social work in Scotland lament the inability of social workers to form therapeutic relationships with clients because of high caseloads and bureaucratic excess. And the children's workforce strategy, from the Department for Education and Skills, says that social workers should be given more time to "concentrate on the complex work that needs their skills".

The DfES strategy talks of remodelling the workforce on the lines of the teaching profession and introducing social pedagogues trained in education, health and social care. If the upshot is that social workers are enabled to make better use of their professional skills, all well and good. But neither the workforce strategy, nor for that matter the 21st century review, should be seen as an opportunity to dilute the contribution of social work. The case for more, better trained support staff is stronger than ever, but it must always be clear where their responsibilities end and those of qualified social workers begin.