May 2009 Archives

writes Simon Heng

 by Allan Norman

I see the government wants a separate Code of Practice just for social workers, and the GSCC is surprised.

I, too am surprised. I have always been aware of the limits of the GSCC Codes of Practice as a professional code when they apply to all social care workers. But I have signed up to a specific code - the BASW Code of Ethics - that is a professional code specifically for the social work profession. Does the government want to reinvent the wheel?

Well, no, I expect it wants something less radical than the Code I signed up to:

writes Bob Holman

writes Nigel Leaney

Social care staff need to address poor hygiene of service users: it can be a sign of a lack of self-care or an expression of eccentricity

One of the difficult areas that social care workers often have to deal with is that associated with self-care and personal hygiene. In mental health care this is often medicalised into diagnostic issues either to do with "negative symptoms" of schizophrenia or depression.

writes Mark Brown

A case being heard in court may have serious consequences for people with mental health issues who are seeking employment.

You'd be forgiven for paying no attention to the ins and outs of local government disputes. Most of the time they are a litany of falling outs, arcane vendettas and huffing and puffing.

writes Simon Stevens

What sort of people make good personal assistants to direct payment users? There is no easy way of judging the skills needed

There is a rather sexist saying that behind all great men is a good woman. I wouldn't claim I am great but I do know that my personal assistant is good and is a woman. As a senior PA within a sound team, Flora has enabled me to enjoy an active and ful! lling lifestyle and make a contribution to society. She is one of my best ever PAs, so the question is what makes Flora and indeed any PA good?

The increased use of casual staff and short- and part-time jobs, may suit employers but it also undermines good practice

I have been doing a bit of moonlighting recently. It is a sign of the times that I'm juggling casual contracts; just two at the moment but three seems to be common among colleagues. I like to think I can take this in my stride.