Changing perceptions of social work: let's follow Scotland's lead

Good on them.

"Social Work Changes Lives" will be launched at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow, and aims to improve understanding of social work services, and challenge some of the impressions created by a series of child protection scandals.

OK, only £50,000 has been set aside for the campaign, but a PR agency is already on board and the campaign hopes to get the support of Scotland's individual local authorities as well.

Significantly, the campaign is also backed by the Scottish government.

Community Care is of course also running a UK-wide campaign to improve the media portrayal of social work but it would be good to see social work leaders and governments in other parts of the UK taking the proactive approach adopted in Scotland. After all, as one social worker makes clear The Herald, there are deeply-held misconceptions that need to be challenged:

"There is a perception that we are either whipping children away or leaving them in terrible situations. There is a lack of understanding that we do have professional expertise and that decisions are largely taken based on what works."