writes Emma Maier
The economic downturn will make 2009 a difficult year. And few places more so than in social care.
Like other sectors, social care will have to face the global financial crisis - just as the economic situation pushes more vulnerable people into the arms of social services. Like other sectors, social care will have the uncertainty of a potential 2009 election hanging over it: Gordon Brown says he is too busy with the recession to call an election, yet pundits speculate and opposition parties prepare.
Unlike other sectors, social care also faces significant upheaval elsewhere. Community Care has highlighted 23 of the strategies, reviews and laws that will change the landscape in 2009, from the dementia strategy to the adult services green paper and the review of local safeguarding children boards.
Most significant is the government's Social Work Taskforce, charged with boosting the status and quality of the profession.
If it succeeds, it could be a turning point, offering the boost in public recognition and status that the "those who can, teach" campaign secured for teachers. It could result in more better trained and motivated social workers and managers, which would improve outcomes for service users.
But that short sentence is a huge undertaking: let's not forget the media vitriol reserved for social workers in the coverage of the Baby P tragedy and the Shannon Matthews case. If it is to succeed, the taskforce must be a top priority for government and the profession - despite the seismic shifts in the sector and beyond.
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