Recently in Education Category

by Helen Bonnick, a supervisor of school-home support workers and a social worker

We have to assume that government ministers have read the full final report of the Cambridge Primary Review: Children, Their World, Their Education, since they apparently have already found so much with which to disagree. Sadly, I have only seen the media coverage, so I must take care in reading the reports, understanding the agenda behind the choice of quotes, trying to balance the analysis with opposing views ... before I launch into a measured and entirely dispassionate tirade.

by Hilton Dawson

A college for social work could provide the means to raise the profession's standing and status to that of medicine and law

The report from the Social Work Task Force, Facing up to the Task, accurately reflects the serious issues facing social workers and proposes a number of ways to respond. Above all, the British Association of Social Workers is delighted that the taskforce has listened to us and is exploring the case for a new organisation to support social work which can play a role similar to that of the royal colleges that support the medical and allied professions.'
This is excellent news: a college for social work goes far beyond education; it is the means by which our profession can raise our standing and status to that enjoyed by medicine and law.

by Helen Bonnick

As the economy worsens, social workers will be busier dealing with rising levels of poverty and debt. Can we cope?

As the new term starts, school-based family workers are set to be faced with more debt - and poverty - related work in the months ahead. Although the focus may be on raising levels of attendance and achievement, many issues centre on the family's financial situation. Whether it is an inability to afford a school uniform, a new pair of shoes, dinner money or outing expenses, poverty impacts on a child's readiness to learn in many direct ways.

by Helen Bonnick

Children and families would be better served if teachers and social care staff at school could overcome their mutual suspicion