The College of Social Work is inviting practitioners to submit their views on the government's consultation to cut back on statutory council duties.

As reported in Community Care, the Department for Communities and Local Government is considering ways of reducing the "unnecessary burdens or restrictions on local authorities", including their social work duties.

MPs and social work leaders have raised serious concerns about the impact of potential changes on the sector, and the College is planning to produce a collective response to the consultation. It wants prospective members, of which there are currently 4.600, to respond by 18 April, in time for the final deadline of 25 April.

Questions may be asked about the timing of the College's decision to respond to a consultation which began nearly three weeks ago, on 7 March. However, a policy development group is being set up, to be headed by College members. A spokesperson says that in future, this group will coordinate thorough responses to similar consultations.

Read the complete post at http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/social-work-blog/2011/03/college-wants-your-views-on-st.html