Breaking news - the GSCC is to be scrapped and social work registration is to be handed over to the Health Professionals Councils, which currently deals with OTs and other health staff.
Check out this document (pdf) and see pages 21 and 22.
What do you think? Is it good for social work registration to be absorbed into a larger body like this?
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I just paid my membership a couple of weeks ago!!! Hope they won't make me pay twice. I'd say good riddance, but it's left to be seen if the HPC would be any improvement to the GSCC.
Is it good news? I suspect not, there are so many things being scrapped I wondered what will be left by the time I get back from my hols ?
Is there a coherency to any of this outwith the argument of cost savings - I cant see any but would be happy to be corrected on that. As someone in the childrens sector all I see is a dimunition and loss of gains made over the last decade.
Within social work there is a proliferation , with SCIE, GSSC, CWDC, the new college and all of this does need to be sorted. But this is not sorting it, there is no coherency and no understanding. I liked the quote from HPC that they will need to make sense of the differences. I'd have thought it made more sense to work that out and then make a decision, but there again what do i know .
Anyway by the end of the summer they'll probably do an about face as they realise it doesn't add up as they have done today with the issue of anonymity in rape cases . Hey ho
Sadly, RP I think they'll be looking for significantly more from you to retain your registration, judging by this paragraph on page 22:
"The Health Professions Council - which will be renamed to reflect its new remit - operates a full cost recovery scheme and currently charges an annual fee of £76 per year, which is considerably less than the likely registration fee if the General Social Care Council were to operate alone on a full-cost recovery basis."
I'm a bit unsure about what this says about the new government's views and ideas of social work- it seems to be dragging us into the same sphere as health. While this may indirectly raise the status of social work, and admittedly many social workers practise in situations working alongside or integrated with health colleagues, it appears to be reflective of a misunderstanding of what we do, the way we work and the values & ethics that underpin social work are very different. Seems to give a slightly strange emphasis to children's social work to be regulated (and associated therefore) with the health profession- or maybe the government will decide to align their registration with the General Teaching Council?!
I think the GSCC was a bad idea from the start, but what is to follow will be worse, why BASW cannot take on the role of registration I cannot fathom.
It will cost us more, that is the fact that will not be avoidable.
Loads of people in the sector (including the GSCC itself!!) are in a state of shock. And it's becoming clear that there are some fundamental differences between the HPC and the GSCC, giving rise to questions such as:
If you post questions on this thread, we'll try to find out the answers...
I am completely gutted about the government's decision to abolish the GSCC. As a relatively new regulator the GSCC has met most of its milestones and expectations set by DH and has done this at relatively low cost.
The HPS operates to the health care model which is completely different from the social care and social work models of care. This underlines the Government's complete misunderstanding about what social care and social work is about and essentially how the the GSCC works. The justications for the abolition relating to costs and direct reporting lines to the Secretary of State are spurious and I suspect another agenda here.
What a complete tragedy for social care and social work, just as social work was being taken more seriously with the task force report and recommendations.
Birdie
Queen B
Are you aware that the General Teaching Council is also to be scrapped?
Reggie
I am surprised but am taking a 'wait and see' approach - as with all changes. The time between pronouncement and action can see a myriad of changes. I would expect the College to pick up issues regarding training and possibly registration but it'll be a while before anything happens. I am no great fan of the GSCC but they have had a major impact on the post-qualifying system (not necessarily improving it but that's my own view) and it'll be interesting to see where it goes.
Working in a CMHT, I can see how we might allay with some of the other health professionals in some of the aspects of our work but that isn't the case for all parts of social work and I can't imagine different sectors of social work being regulated by different bodies. It is unfeasible.
So I'll await for further details with interest..
I hope this leads to a reduction of many of the ridiculous conduct hearings. I read one where a social worker was admonished for forgetting a file at a Service User's home. Although the file did not have information relevant to the Service User the Social Worker was admonished by the GSCC for retrieving the file against her manager's wishes. Should not something of this nature be dealt with as an internal disciplinary issue? It appeared that Social Workers were held to standards that were different from OTs, Physios and other Allied Health professionals. Maybe we can have a life again under the HPC.
It is inevitable - what else did you expect? A regulator under "special measures" and found incompetent on numerous times by the Care Standards Tribunal gives a fairly clear message of the worth of this Quango.
There may be a higher fee to register with the new regulator but many I think will prefer that to seeing this dysfunctional organisation being allowed to destroy the profession.
Remember, the Sun reporter and the GSCC Conference? That was a very apposite indicator of the inappropriate focus of the GSCC.
The GSCC, any more than the General Teaching Council, will not be missed - it is the end of an error.
Wilt
'I am surprised but am taking a 'wait and see' approach - as with all changes. The time between pronouncement and action can see a myriad of changes. I would expect the College to pick up issues regarding training and possibly registration but it'll be a while before anything happens. I am no great fan of the GSCC but they have had a major impact on the post-qualifying system (not necessarily improving it but that's my own view) and it'll be interesting to see where it goes...'
Wise words 'cb' - there will be huge changes in Regulation of the profession and that is why it is imperastive that The College of Social Work quickly establishes its worth and validity - most importantly that it addresses as an absolute prioritty what it is that social work is and what are its'reserved functions' - the things that ONLY qualified social workers can and should carry out. This is long overdue and IF we can establish a clearer and firmer understanding of social work - just as, for instance, with Nursing and Teaching - then we may have some 'clout' to better defend ourselves and protect social work.
Whilst I have never been a fan of GSCC I do see the need for a professional body for SW's to be registered with. Whether this new arrangment will prove any better I do grudge having to pay so I can work. £30 a year was bad enough now likely to be £76 but in the past there have been talks of anything in the hundreds which I would oppose.
I think its great news that the GSCC is being scrapped. Why? Well, because its finally forced the whole subject about the professional integrity of Social Work into the arena at long last. Lets face it... Social Work training does not prepare you at all adequately for the work you do. We know that many Team Managers would much rather employ an unqualified worker who has 3 years practical hands on experience (care home work, domiciliary care, children's centre etc) and good training than a newly qualified social worker with little experience.
There is also a desperate need to separate out social work responsibilities from other roles that really don't need a Social Work qualification. Managing a Social Work Team does not require a social work qualification! It requires a good understanding of the sector and excellent management and leadership skills. Just because you are a good social worker, it doesn't mean you will be a good Manager. Often, they are a totally different skill set and its rare to genuinley find both qualities in the same person at a level that is needed. Similarly with Commissioning and Planning roles - too many jobs are advertised citing a Social Work qualification as essential. It really isnt, and this is well evidenced by some LA's who have successfully recruited effective people into these posts who are not SW qualified.
I'm a huge advocate for social workers and think the qualification should be valued. BUT..we've got to a ridiculous situation where you need to be social work qualified for everything and anything. We have to get the specialism back and ensure that somehow practical hands on experience is also valued. After all...its what many on the ground are telling us.
Keep Social work a specialist area...do not water it down by requiring it for every role in the sector. No wonder we are having a recruitment crisis!
I don't see why anyone is "shocked" or indeed "surprised" by this. We have a Tory government who has made no bones about tearing up the welfare state. Today we are bemoaning the abolition of the GSCC soon we will be "devastated" and "appaled" by the abolition of Social Work. Good luck everyone, its going to get worse.
Don't worry, it won't be instant! Parliamentary legislation is required to dissemble the GSCC and Parliament is off for the summer recess imminently :) (I wish we could have a summer recess.... ).
I absolutely agree with this analysis. What will be next? They will have to tackle the Skills for Care/SCIE/National Skills Academy/ Childrens Workforce development council mess. Ripe for rationalisation and some serious face saving - not quite so sure about saving money though! Unless they just get ruthless and lop things off. Bits of things are already floating off. NICE to do standards in social care (what does that mean?) Health and Social care information centre to collect data on social care (does that include Skills for Care's NMDS?) if GSCC goes into the HPC for social work (NB not social care) then clearly the registration of social care workers is out of the window. Not sure (yet) where to give social work grants (if any at all continue) to - but we are thinking about that one. if GSCC does social work, HSIC does data collection, NICE do social care standards - what is Skills for Care for? what is NSCA for? SCIE has had a chunk of work cut out (not clear yet how much is left!). Can the CWDC survive as a children only body - especially when the adult bodies it relates to are in such trouble?
There will be more cuts and it will look very different in future. It wont necessarily be better, it might be cheaper but it will have delivered on promises made and no doubt settled a few scores too for the Tory right, who hated most of the sectors architcture the last governments built up. What price the EHRC now?
How will this affect my degree which I am starting in September? Don't the GSCC have input into the standards etc which have to be met??
deleted
Hello Duvetqueen. In response to your comments... I can't agree with you that those who work their way up the system via a hands on route only get limited experience and knowledge. Many good employers out there provide substaintial training in the legal system, ethics and values, anti oppressive and anti discriminatory practice. There is a whole industry out there which provides training equivalent or better than that provided on Social work courses. (Ask someone who has received both). In particular ..consider care workers who have 15-20 years experience in the sector, have received quality training covering all social work disciplines and have held care home / area manager positions and have been 'qualified' by inspecting bodies. I have worked with both these individuals and with newly qualified social workers and there is simply no comparison. I would appoint the non qualified worker to undertake any social worker role any day. Sorry...but it genuinely is just the way I feel.
I do however agree that those in Managerial or Commissioning roles...whilst they do not need a formal Social Work qualification..it really can be so much more effective in they have experience of the sector. Especially those responsible for commissioning decisions..they have to acknowledge and understand the need to meet needs. And how this is actually the most cost effective solution in the long term.
This is a key advantage in scrapping the GSCC; it operated in its own vacuum, often coming up with ridiculous conduct hearings, whilst having virtually no influence in practise and policy.
Although some SW's might baulk at being lumped together with other medical workers, they will enjoy the fact that they can't be subjected to a different regime that wasn't to their benefit.
The GSCC got into a mess almost upon inception, though the firing of Mike Wardle helped recover from its most serious blunder - a backlog of important cases.
It will still take primary legislation to make the change from GSCC to HPC, so it might not come anytime soon. In the meantime it will be vital that GSCC staff and managers don't allow any more blunders to come to light.
I am appalled at the prospect. The HPC has a dismal record with regard to public protection. Our own experience has clarified beyond any doubt that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the HPC is about protecting its registrants rather than the public.
There also seems to have been no consultaiton with interested parties. Typical.
This is terrible news and I hope that something can be done to stop the advance of the HPC's malignant march.
Good luck to you all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPKKZ5zRhyk
I would say from your comment it seems there should be an indavidual governing body on the same principles as the GSCC, I wouldn't like the Idea of the BASW undertaking this role though, the body must be independent, the body cannot have a vested or conflict of intrest.
I don't feel the registration system at the moment goes far enough to protect the workers it was intended to do, charging more money will only throw the system into chaos again, it's not about registration, its not about how much it costs to "join a club" however its about protecting the services, workers et al.
In my personal opinon joining forces with the health care professionals council, or what ever it might be called is not a good idea, the role of Social Workers is exceptionally different from anything to do with health et al.
There should still be an independent body like I said above
Social work will be lost amongst the plethora of health care professions which are now falling within the HPC remit.
It has also just occurred to me - what about the fact that there are regulatory bodies for social workers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? How will consistency in regulation be achieved if, within England, the HPC will be undertaking SW registration?
Surely there will be an issue if a social worker registered in Scotland wants to work in England or one of the other UK countries. Currently there are I gather, reciprocal arrangements for such SWs to ensure minimum bureaucracy, consistency and one Code of Conduct and the 4 UK countries share an IT system for registration etc - how on earth will this all be unpicked? Has the Government even given this a passing thought?
What will happen to the UK based Code of Conduct especially if HPC persists in applying its fitness to practise model which currently is not applied to SWs through regulation - looks like a huge potential for a ............. muddle which we all end up paying for one way or another!
The Government has stated it will take at least 2 years to merge the GSCC with the HPC - this is because legislation will need to be drawn up to unpick the current legislation which requires the GSCC to report directly to the Secretary of State. New legislation will be required to institute the HPC role, rewrite the regulations, the rules, procedures, policies etc - all of which will take money time and effort and will divert GSCC staff and managers for keeping their eye on the ball.
we are submitting evidence to the Munro review into child protection and presenting our experience (there are several cases) that registration with HPC considerably lowers the expecation that registrants treat children with sensitivity and consideration because accountability is impaired by the HPC's registrant-biassed position when children are harmed and disputes arise.
However, the HPC is bad news for registrants too. Have a look at the HPC's shenanigans here:
http://hpcwatchdog.blogspot.com/
It is not too late to organise opposition to these plans and demand a dedicated regulator for social workers. In fact, there has been a big response to calls for the abolition of the HPC. See here:
http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/restoring-civil-liberties/abolish-the-health-professions-council-hpc
We need to work together to protect children: the HPC is part of the problem and not of the solution.
I WOULD URGE ANYBODY READING THIS TO SUBMIT YOUR VIEWS FOR THE MUNRO REVIEW HERE - THE DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY (SORRY FOR SHOUTING, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT AND I NEED YOUR ATTENTION!)
http://www.education.gov.uk/news/press-notices-new/reviewofchildprotection
there is a response template for professionals on the right hand side on this page
http://www.education.gov.uk/munroreview/evidence.shtml
Here we go again, I've just returned from my annual family holiday to the news of the sudden but not totally unexpected demise of the GSCC, I have to admit I was never ever a fan of this worthless body and resented its imposition in the first place… However with news that it is now to be scrapped, why is it that I now feel an overwhelming sense of being ripped off ? What exactly did I gain from this joke body, I what did I gain from being forced, to jump through hoops every three years to have the privilege of being able to continue work? What did I gain from the subscription of £30 that I was forced to pay yearly? Finally what did I gain from the numerous conduct hearings splashed for the edification of everybody? The answer is absolutely nothing!!
Now I have the pleasure of trying to work out how in the hell I’m supposed to utilise all the GSCC stamped post qualifications certificates I have, that I presume will be become obsolete and worthless as the GSCC will be in 2012.. I’m left wondering why in the hell did I bothered?
For me this decision is just a reflection of the current trend in social care of the last few years, a state of permanent confusion, no consistency and absolutely no joined up thinking in terms of the revolving door of ill-conceived, half-baked and poorly executed directives, dreamed up by various individuals who parachute in without a clue or the best interest of either social care or social work at heart. If I sound angry, then that is because I am, I'm completely fed up and punch drunk with yet another meaningless change for the sake of change…when is enough going to be enough!?
This government is on a warpath. Just wants to undo all that is labour's creation whether this adds value or not does not matter.
Nzokati
'HarmedByTheHPC' - The Response Template seems utterly inappropriate for social workers - we need to present a 'wider' picture of what is wrong and what needs to be done. Any ideas on how to make a Submission regardless of the seemingly Individualisded Case Study format?
Joanne,
Of course a manager of a social work team needs a social work qualification!
In fact they also need a management qualification!!!
Front line social workers deserve the best managers who can provide support, training, mentoring and serious back up.
Tragically most social work managers are just not up to the job.
Got to go - Im off to an appointment with my unqualified brain surgeon for a lobotomy
I have a CQSW, a Masters degree in management and 20 years International experience including the UN in Africa.
Protecting women and children is important - get professionals to do the managemrnt - the staff and service users deserve the best- simple really?
The GSCC has posted a Q&A on its website: http://www.gscc.org.uk/About+us/Transfer+of+GSCC+function+to+HPC/. Basically it's business as usual... for the time being.
O.K. How about a Foreman Plumber who has never done any plumbing, a Nursing Sister/Charge Nurse who has never done any nursing, a Driving Instructor who has never done any driving, a Consultant Surgeon who has never performed any surgery? I expect that anyone who is managing me should know what is required of me in my work and that if we are to be taken seriously as a profession then we have to maintain the same standards as other professions.
Thanks for looking this up, Rupert. We too found the template inappropriate - it's infuriating that the call for evidence requires that submissions must fit into one of those templates. We have made our individual submissions using the Children & Families template, but will also make a free-form group submission (Parents Against Injustice, Islington branch) and send it to munro.review@education.gsi.gov.uk , hoping that it will receive attention. Best wishes.
I agree with all concerns raised about the GSCC and welcome the departure of the GSCC (which obviously does not seem to be shared by any of the major stakeholders who have commented so far but have been very quiet to comment on the obvious failings of the GSCC in the past).
It should be clearly said that this body has accumulated incompetence which has caused danger to the profession, individuals and service users alike. The public has often not been protected but put at risk. As far as universities are concerned the GSCC have no framework about how whistleblowing (to which students are not entitled), quality assurance and fitness to practice interplay. Their code is open to misuse as has been demonstrated in numerous Care Standard Tribunal decisions.
Dear Ms McGregor
I shall be grateful if CC wished to consider looking behind the scenes (that is report on what is really going on and can be evidenced) rather than restricting articles to stakeholder views. Get in touch berndsass@hotmail.com ?
How on earth are social workers supposed to preserve their identity that we have worked so hard to achieve? We are not health professionals we are social care professionals, and the GSCC was a reminder to us all that this is who we are? The new government are poised to devalue and discredit our profession by merging us with the health sector. This appears to be from the document, yet another cost cutting exercise for the government who seem to know what is best for a profession that over the years in conjunction with the media, have chosen to ridicule and scapegoat social workers at every opportunity. The current annual registration fee for social workers has been £30 per year - and the Health Professionals Council charge £76 - is this a fair deal for social care professionals? It seems to be that we will be subsidising the health profession!! Social workers do not receive an equal footing in terms of salary with health professionals, and I daresay that this wont change...........
Since when has social care been a Health Profession? Social work's professional status, like that of doctors, police or teachers is a stand-alone set of principles and skills. While it has been refreshing to see that what would previously have been called social work failures are now called failures of agencies, plural, by the media, and the GSCC's focus on scapegoating individual social workers for multi-agency failures needed to go. Nonetheless there needs to be a separate professional body which upholds professional status, separate from the great monolith of Health. Multi-agency working is crucial to ascertaining fully rounded assessments of people's needs across all social work areas. Police, Health visitors, doctors, OTs and physiotherapists work from separate agendas and knowledge bases, towards a shared goal of ensuring people get the opportunity they need to live as safely independently as possible. The different professions are not interchangeable and need to retain their own identity. Unless they want to call police and teachers health professionals too then, in my opinion, social work / social care needs its own focus on standards and skills.
Personally I prefer 'Bob the Builder' because he can fix it!!!
It's just too daft to laugh at.