HCPC issues updated standards of proficiency for social workers
New capabilities around resilience, weighing alternative explanations and safe information governance added to regulator's list
Social workers in England will be required to “identify and apply strategies to build professional resilience” under a series of updates to the Health and Care Professions Council’s standards of proficiency.
The standards set out what social [...]
Munby: Cross-examination of vulnerable people should be banned
A senior judge has called for a ban on the cross-examination of vulnerable people in family proceedings.
Sir James Munby said he would like to see an end to the way in which alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse are able to cross-examine their alleged victims.
“I have expressed particular concern about the fact that alleged perpetrators are [...]
Mental health reforms announced by prime minister
The prime minister has announced a package of measures aimed at tackling mental health problems.
Speaking at the annual Charity Commission lecture, Theresa May unveiled a comprehensive package of reforms designed to improve mental health support at every stage of a person’s life – with an emphasis on early intervention for children and young people.
Ms [...]
Social workers oppose ‘power to innovate’ clauses in the Children and Social Work Bill
Local authorities should not be permitted to opt out of some of their statutory duties, a poll of BASW members has revealed. The survey carried out by the Association on what social workers thought about the government’s Children and Social Work Bill found that members were opposed to the ‘power to innovate’ clauses in the bill.
The survey carried [...]
Andrew Christie awarded OBE
Andrew Christie has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to children in the New Years Honours.
Mr Christie is the Chair of the National Adoption Leadership Board and prior to his current role he was director of Children’s Services for Tri-borough (Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and [...]
Special Report: Public Accounts Committee slams progress on child protection
The government’s plans to reform social work have been criticised by the Public Accounts Committee which has stated that the Department for Education lacks a ‘credible plan’ to improve child protection.
Too little has been done to improve children’s services since Eileen Munro published a report following an inquiry into the child protection system calling for [...]
