The process of establishing a new regulator for social workers continued to gather speed this week as the government posted job applications for up to eight non-executive board members to oversee the regulator’s development and future running.
The advert follows the news that Lord Patel of Bradford, a former social worker, was made the chair of the regulator, Social Work England.
Successful applicants will be involved in developing the regulator’s processes, strategies and policies. The board will also be required to consider how it can engage with service users and ensure it is considered in decision making. Appointments to the board will last for three years.
Social Work England board member criteria
The government’s advert says it is looking for board members who have expertise and ability in:
- A commitment to the values of equality, human rights and inclusion and an ability to champion these and ensure they underpin the work of the board;
- A commitment to the active engagement of service users and principles of co-production in all activities;
- Setting strategic direction and engaging in constructive debate and challenge at all levels;
- Working collaboratively as part of a group to plan and facilitate strategic decisions.
Other areas board members will be required to have expertise or ability in include financial management and accounting, social work experience, commercial and/or operational management and change management.
The creation of Social Work England was announced in 2015 and will cost up to £26 million to establish. After it is established, it is estimated the annual running cost would be £12 million, with funding coming from registration fees and central government.
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It might just be the way the article is set, but I am unclear why Social Work experience is not at the top of the list? I wonder how many of the board members will be qualified social workers.
Why are we spending £26 milion to establish this and 12 millon a year to fund it???? Could this money not be better spent actually funding frontline services rather than having meetings about them? Or am I missing something?
Since social work became regulated we have seen a changes in regulators twice so far , and to think this is just less than 20years ago. Are they not able to make up their minds . If you consider other professions that they want to be inline with, lawyers, doctors nurses , these has been stability . Just wondering the worst of resources in putting together all this.
In twenty years we have had The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work which was, from 1970 to 2001. Followed by GSCC and then HCPC. Now Social Work England. England does not see very ADP. How does it encompass Brexit/EU/Multiculturalism on a wider spectrum?
No doubt change is afoot again.