The British Association of Social Workers is calling for better pre- and post-qualifying training on how to deal with drug and alcohol problems among service users.
Last year, a Home Office-funded study found more than half of newly-qualified social workers felt inadequately prepared to work with people with drug and alcohol problems. Since then, little has changed.
While some universities choose to put drug and alcohol misuse in their curriculum, it is still not a requirement. Working in this field is considered by the Department of Health to be a specialist role, which requires specialist training.
But the General Social Care Council, and BASW, argue that all social workers need to have a basic understanding of drug and alcohol misuse. The social work reform board is looking into this as part of a wider overhaul of education and training.
The Social Policy and Social Work centre (Swap) has also commissioned research in this area. Keep an eye on Community Care for more information.
So far, CareSpace users are in unanimous agreement that there needs to be better training on working with people with drug and alcohol problems. Join in the debate
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