Possibility of supervisor accreditation status for adults’ social workers

Chief social worker for adults, Lyn Romeo, has indicated that a new supervisor status could be brought in if the introduction of an accreditation system in children’s social work is successful.

At the principal social workers conference on Friday, Romeo and Isabelle Trowler, her counterpart for children’s social workers, were asked about post-qualification accreditation.

Three levels – accredited child and family practitioner, practice supervisor and practice leader – are currently being developed by the Department for Education and the KPMG-led consortium contracted to deliver the assessment process.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health confirmed that while Romeo is working with the children’s chief social worker, she is looking only at the supervisor role and highlighted that there already two types of accreditation for statutory work with adults: best interests assessor (BIA) and approved mental health professional (AMHP).

“The system for children is in the process of being tested so until that is completed we would not be looking to adapt and utilise for those supervisors in adults,” the spokesperson said.

The news followed government special adviser Martin Narey’s comments to directors of children’s services on Friday that initial education should be separated into adults and children’s specialisms.

A prinicipal social worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said concerns were raised at the conference over whether social work was still a single profession.

See other views from the day in our storify.