The British Association of Social Workers can't seem to decide whether they want to help set up a national college of social work with the people currently involved in the steering group.
First Hilton Dawson, BASW's chief executive, made sceptical noises about alleged government interference.
Then BASW's council decided to go ahead with developing it after all.
Now, Hilton has posted a statement on the BASW website suggesting that they might even set up its own breakaway college!
The college, and BASW's involvement in establishing the national body, hasn't got off to a great start has it?
Daniel Lombard: The British Association of Social Workers can't seem to decide whether they want to help set up a national college of social work with the people currently involved in the steering group. First Hilton Dawson, BASW's chief executive, made sceptical noises about alleged government interference. Then BASW's council decided to go ahead with developing it after all. Now, Hilton has posted a statement on the BASW website suggesting that they might even set up its own breakaway college! The college, and BASW's involvement in establishing the national body, hasn't got off to a great start has it?
This isn't about BASW . It's about ensuring that we have a UK (not national) College which can drive the fundamental transformation that the profession of social work needs. That means a College which has a real impact on career structures,on pay, on the support given by employers and on the quality of initial training and continuing professional development. That means a College which is led by social workers from the start and which is potent enough to attract them to join. It must be independent and strong.
Sorry if we're boring Community Care but however we do it BASW are going to get this right
A totally independent College, not obliged to any Goverment organs or financial control is the best option, however the question remains would it be viable and afforadable.
Hilton is right BUT the underpinning issues have to be about being clear exactly what 'social work' is - it is not just about that 'branch' of the profession carried out by Local Authorities and the private sector but needs to take on board the history of social work (see book 'History of Ideas in Social Work') and looking back at the work carried out by the early pioneers who saw working with the homeless, prisoners, the destitute and oppressed as being what really mattered.
I would wholly support Hilton's view regarding the College needing to be independent of Central Government control and hope that BASW can use its influence to steer the powers that be in the right direction. BASW needs to learn that historically it fought for what is now the GSCC but many of BASW's good ideas and best intentions were lost by Government taking over.
The UK has a continuing poor record for children still living in poverty and social work needs a clear and unbiased voice if it is to be effective in seeking to advocate for those least able to effect change themselves - local authority social work is just one element and I have real fears that, just like Nursing, the answers seem to lie in a more academic workforce than in one truly committed to social justice.
oab: A totally independent College, not obliged to any Goverment organs or financial control is the best option, however the question remains would it be viable and afforadable.
Other professions manage. The College of Occupational Therapists, The Royal College of Nursing, The Royal College of Midwifery, the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists... All funded by membership subscription and advertising revenues, plus bringing in income from offering courses etc.
The question is would you all be prepared to pay your £100 plus membership a year and have that subsidised by the organisations that you might find objectionable? You may scoff at government funding but do you want the compromises that the Royal colleges bend to from pharmaceuticals companies, private healthcare provides and a multitude of industrial and political lobbyists. Bash public funding as much as you want when there are no immediate consequences but these eventually come back and bite you. eventually you might not like it if the only thing a BASW college ever did for you was to send you out a magazine and one that did not reflect your working reality.
Hilton: Daniel Lombard: The British Association of Social Workers can't seem to decide whether they want to help set up a national college of social work with the people currently involved in the steering group. First Hilton Dawson, BASW's chief executive, made sceptical noises about alleged government interference. Then BASW's council decided to go ahead with developing it after all. Now, Hilton has posted a statement on the BASW website suggesting that they might even set up its own breakaway college! The college, and BASW's involvement in establishing the national body, hasn't got off to a great start has it? This isn't about BASW . It's about ensuring that we have a UK (not national) College which can drive the fundamental transformation that the profession of social work needs. That means a College which has a real impact on career structures,on pay, on the support given by employers and on the quality of initial training and continuing professional development. That means a College which is led by social workers from the start and which is potent enough to attract them to join. It must be independent and strong. Sorry if we're boring Community Care but however we do it BASW are going to get this right
Hilton, I do wonder how this explains why BASW registered: nationalcollegeofsocialwork.org.uk on 08-Sep-2009 ?
Where are you Hilton?
Why are you allowing BASW to fragment in such a manner?
Why are you seemingly acting in such bad faith? - see 'JoSoPhine' other Posts on the main thread elsewhere.
Why are you not being honest and giving your so-called College its correct name? - i.e. 'BASW t/a The College of Social Work.' Only BASW is registered at Companies House - No College of Social Work.
Why enrol all your members in all countries into 'BASW - The College of Social Work?' Is it or is it not a UK College? How many have personally applied to become 'College' members?
Philip Measures
The most recent comments on this topic can be found at:http://www.communitycare.co.uk/carespace/forums/would-you-be-a-member-of-both-basw-and-the-9157.aspx
Has Hilton gone shy? Where are you Hilton or have you metamorphosised into Ruth Stark? - see 'JoSoPhine's' link above.