Directors call for four-year degree

The government should consider extending the
length of the social work degree from three years to four,
according to the Association of Directors of Social Services.

In its
submission to phase two of the Victoria Climbie inquiry this week,
the association argues that the complexity of assessing and meeting
children’s needs is not reflected in the core training of social
care staff.

The
organisation’s president, Mike Leadbetter, said the level of
complexity in social work was highlighted by the mistakes made in
Victoria’s case, and he argued it was reasonable to ask whether a
three-year degree course was long enough.

The
ADSS evidence calls for students to be tested to ensure a good
minimum level of literacy, numeracy and the ability to analyse,
summarise and keep succinct records, all areas found wanting during
evidence to the Victoria Climbie inquiry.

The
ADSS argues that the schemes for measuring workload in social
services departments are unsophisticated and there is no
understanding of what it is feasible for a social worker to
achieve. The assessment framework was introduced without taking
into account how long it would take to complete, it
says.

A
pilot study should be undertaken to determine the time and human
resources needed to complete an assessment to the required
standard.