Scottish social workers spend too much time on menial tasks

Many Scottish social workers are spending too much time on
menial tasks that should be done by less skilled staff, according
to a study, writes Derren Hayes.

Researchers focusing on six social work departments and two
charities found no team included the full range of support staff
they consider necessary for social workers to work most
efficiently. Their findings will now feed into the 21st Century
Review of Social Work in Scotland.

The report identifies many examples of social workers performing
tasks that should have been done by other support staff, such as
personal care, escort duties, financial assessments and even
minute-taking.

The needs of people using services are best met by teams
consisting of paraprofessional social care workers, business
administrators and social workers, it adds.

Researchers studied Argyll & Bute, Fife, Glasgow, Moray,
North Lanarkshire and Stirling Councils and Barnardo’s and
the Church of Scotland between February and April.

Report from
http://www.21csocialwork.org.uk/docDetails.php?id=224&sec=rsw