The Social Care Experts Blog: Poverty Archives

Centre for Social Justice contradicts Cameron's 'broken Britain' slogan

By Adam McCulloch on April 28, 2010 3:50 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

by Bob Holman

Unlike Margaret Thatcher, David Cameron does acknowledge the existence of
poverty. The credit rests with Iain Duncan Smith whose Centre for Social
Justice (CSJ) contains staff in contact with people in deprived areas.

Continue reading Centre for Social Justice contradicts Cameron's 'broken Britain' slogan.

Social workers' bravery should be recognised and nurtured

By Adam McCulloch on September 4, 2009 1:55 PM | 5 Comments | No TrackBacks

by Paul Lloyd

Nobody talks about bravery in social work but there are many situations in which social workers have to dig deep to use resources deep within themselves to be able to act professionally and safely. How do we address this in training and reverse the drop-out rate?

From my recollection of being a social work student and, from my experience as a practice assessor, I would argue that the importance of personal courage has never been recognised as a principle feature of professional practice as it is taught at colleges and in the field.
However, in my role as a trade union officer I am confronted, on a daily basis, with courageous interventions carried out by social workers done so at considerable risk to their own professional and physical well-being.

Continue reading Social workers' bravery should be recognised and nurtured.

Let's go back to class

By Gary on January 21, 2009 9:13 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

writes Bob Holman

The government's plan to narrow inequality fails to challenge disparities in wealth, income and power.

The government has issued a consultation paper for its forthcoming Equality Bill. The deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has won a battle to include a legal obligation on all public bodies to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.

Continue reading Let's go back to class.

Blame greed for this mess

By Gary on January 8, 2009 11:53 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

By Nigel Leaney

Don't be misled by some of the welfare fraud figures that appear in the media - corporate tax avoidance costs far more

According to economy pundits, the year ahead will be bleak: more credit crunch to come. Working in the public sector offers some protection - we get neither the heady bonuses nor the salary crashes. But working in social care we will see the effects of economic recession all around us as it affects local communities through house repossessions, unemployment and general social misery.

Continue reading Blame greed for this mess.

Credit crunch opportunity for green social work

By Adam McCulloch on November 25, 2008 12:20 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

by Helen Bonnick

The government's announcement last month of tougher targets on carbon emissions means we are going to have to do more than switch to low energy light bulbs, turn off the television and use the train instead of the car. We already moan about these measures. In our minds, cutting back means returning to a past age and losing our luxuries. My neighbour summed it up: people won't give up these things - they see them as a right.

Continue reading Credit crunch opportunity for green social work.

Social Work And Social Care: Time to learn something from the Olympic spirit?

By Simeon Brody on August 27, 2008 11:43 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

by Peter Beresford

I never expected to hear myself say it, but the Beijing Olympics have given me a whole new sense of proportion. Suddenly I feel I have a proper perspective on issues of social care and human needs.

Continue reading Social Work And Social Care: Time to learn something from the Olympic spirit?.

Destitution at Mornington Crescent

By Allan Norman on July 14, 2008 5:34 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

by Allan Norman

Some will know this tube station lies on the Northern Line between Euston and Camden Town, but only if playing by the 'Charing Cross Branch' Rules. More of you will have heard of the Radio 4 panel show game, played by other rules. The game is one of great skill and strategy, but the rules are, let's face it, obscure.

Having heard argument from Slough on 9th and 10th June, on social work's duties to destitute and ill failed asylum seekers, the House of Lords is due to play 'Destitution at Mornington Crescent' in the next few days. They have yet to announce which Rules they will play by, but in anticipation I thought I would remind you of the key moves in the game so far:

Continue reading Destitution at Mornington Crescent.