October 2009 Archives

by Steve Rogowski, a social worker (children and families) with a local authority in NW England

At last BASW seems to have awoken from its slumbers and started to voice the concerns about what has happened to social work. The appointment of Hilton Dawson (despite, as he acknowledges, his New Labour credentials) as the new chief executive earlier this year, no doubt has something to do with this.

A few weeks ago the headlines were all about the tragic story of Fiona Pilkington, the torment she suffered at the hands of local 'yobs' and the 'national debate' supposedly sparked by her suicide, writes Helen Bonnick.

Phone-ins as well as news programmes invited listeners to broadcast their own experiences of being bullied or feeling intimidated. Was I the only one to feel despair at hearing of responses such as "they'll grow out of it", or "just ignore them and they'll go away". I was just waiting for someone to have said, "it'll harden you up". Have we really not moved on at all in the last 20 years?

writes Paul Lloyd

The need for social workers to dig deep and show courage should be recognised. But how can bravery be a part of training?

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.

writes Nigel Leaney

Rituals are important to humans but it is vital to banish those with negative connotations and develop new, positive ones

Ritual is important. It marks beginnings and closures that punctuate our lives. We all need a sense of our time passing and a space where we can be reflective and honour transitional events. Birthdays, anniversaries, important moments in our lives stream by in a seemingly endless procession, tracking down the years. Marking occasions as a ritual gives greater shape and structure to them and an added sense of meaning.