Recently in Workforce Category

Big Thank A You - And Remembering What It's All Really About

By Adam McCulloch on April 30, 2010 1:55 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Two apparently unrelated stories struck me when I read last week's Community Care (29 April 2010). Both left me with strong feelings. Both deserve further comment.  First there was the tribute, following his premature death, to David Morris, longstanding senior policy adviser on disability to the London Mayor.


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The GSCC needs reminding of whom it truly should serve

By Adam McCulloch on November 9, 2009 11:30 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
Platt-Denise-70.gifby Denise Platt

Log onto the website of the General Medical Council (GMC). Pretty quickly you will read that "we protect patients by dealing firmly and fairly with serious concerns about doctors". The General Teaching Council says: "We work for children through teachers". Now look at the General Social Care Council website - you'll be hard pushed to find the words "protect the public" or any mention of people who use services on its home page or "about us" section.
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'Don't let professionals tell you they know about parenting'

By Adam McCulloch on November 5, 2009 4:32 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
Thumbnail image for Fitzpatrick-Mike-2.gifby Michael Fitzpatrick

I often think it is strange that parents ask me - as a GP - for advice on matters of child-rearing.
It is understandable that parents should seek medical advice about their children's coughs and fevers, even about teething and nappy rashes. But why turn to a doctor for help with sleeping and feeding problems, toilet-training, tantrums and bad behaviour?

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National college of social work faces leadership challenge

By Adam McCulloch on November 2, 2009 11:50 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Clarke, Nigel web 60.jpgby Nigel Clarke

Two years ago, I was asked by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) if I would chair an independent inquiry into a future professional body for pharmacists. The RPSGB's regulatory function had, arguably, swamped its professional body role, and when the government decided to create a new regulator, a review of what members wanted from their body was sensible.

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Improving the Integrated Childen's System (ICS)

By Adam McCulloch on October 27, 2009 10:47 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
Liddicott,-Steve.gifby Steve Liddicott

Anybody who has tried to make sense of paper-based records for a child who has been receiving social care services over a number of years will agree that they should be consigned to the past as quickly as possible. But to do that, the electronic systems that replace them have to be fit for purpose.

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Staff self-worth is at stake in child protection

By Mike McNabb on September 6, 2009 7:34 AM | 5 Comments | No TrackBacks
batmanghelidjh-60.gif

Depleted social work departments not only increase the risks to children in need of help, they harm those who work in them too, writes Camila Batmanghelidjh. It's not just to children who are being abused that we owe quality care structures. The staff working in social care also deserve better.


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We need more experts by experience

By Adam McCulloch on August 28, 2009 12:34 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
by Kaarina Elisabeth
 
Harriet Harman believes that unless women are guaranteed positions in government, we won't get good government. She advocates positive discrimination, already employed for race and gender by various bodies. And it can be a good thing. It makes groups feel their views are represented.

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Social workers shouldn't moan so much, writes a social worker

By Adam McCulloch on August 19, 2009 11:35 AM | 6 Comments | No TrackBacks
by an anonymous social worker

Social workers are vilified in the media, and our public image is poor. Defending ourselves blindly, however, is not going to address the array of issues that we face.
Of course recognition is needed that the workforce is overworked, underpaid and stressed. We face daily challenges that affect enormously the lives of others, sometimes of such a magnitude that it can mean life or death. We work more than our set hours, using computer systems that are not fit for purpose. And we do all this and so much more for a starting salary of about £28,000.

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A social work college is a great idea; BASW welcomes taskforce proposals

By Adam McCulloch on August 8, 2009 12:40 AM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
Hilton-Dawson-new29.gifby 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.
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Research skills as part of social work practice

By Mike McNabb on July 31, 2009 4:51 PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks

Research skills must become an essential part of social work education, practice and continuing professional development, writes Sue White

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