The regulation of social work is to be taken over by a new social work body, established by the government to drive up standards in social work.
Education secretary Nicky Morgan unveiled the plans for a new body for social work which will focus on raising the quality of social work, education, training and practice in both children’s and adult’s social work.
Over time, the body will take over the regulation of social work from the Health and Care professions Council, she revealed.
Nicky Morgan said: “Excellent social workers transform lives. These hard working, dedicated professionals have the ability not just to improve the circumstances of vulnerable children but to change them entirely. That is why supporting social workers, and giving them the tools they need, is a priority for this government and a personal priority for me as Secretary of State.”
The Education Secretary also announced:
- A new vision for all child and family social workers to be assessed against the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families knowledge and skills statements by the end of this Parliament.
- The expansion of high-quality entry routes into the profession - backed by £100m of government funding.
- Three councils, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Islington, will be given academy-style freedoms to develop new systems of delivering social care and trial new ways of working with families and children.
- A new ‘What Works Centre’ later this year backed with funding of up to £20m to ensure social workers across the country are able to learn from the very best examples of frontline social work.
Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Isabelle Trowler, said: “Today’s announcements form the springboard for social work to become recognised as one of the most highly regarded and expert professions in the public service landscape. Such high ambition will be achieved through a dedicated and focused partnership with government so together we provide practice excellence everywhere for the children, families and communities we serve.
“I look forward to working with the profession and the strongest Practice Leaders in England, alongside children, young people and families, Ofsted, employers and Universities, to drive this ambition forward. This challenge is not for the faint hearted but nor is social work. We have been given a new opportunity to prove our worth to the public. I am completely confident that we will not disappoint,” she added.
