Social work services for adults ‘must not be neglected’ – BASW
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is hearing of cuts in adult social care services, but Social Work with adults has received something of a boost with the publication of ‘The Future of Social Work in Adult Services in England’, a joint statement from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Department of Health, Skills for Care, BASW and the Social Care Association.
An important area highlighted in the statement is that Social Workers are trained to undertake a wide range of therapeutic and practical interventions when a service user is at risk or is facing life changing situations, and it is important that this valuable and specialist support is not compromised by cutting posts or by placing those without Social Work qualifications in Social Work roles.
Ruth Cartwright, England Joint Manager at BASW said: “Our approach is valued by service users, who by and large do not want a ‘tick box’ assessment of need and a mechanistic model of providing care and support. We know that local authorities have to make difficult economic decisions, but BASW urges them to make ‘informed decisions’ and ‘preserve frontline services ’ their watchwords. We know we are working with many people in great need of services and do not want to see them struggle without the help that would maintain and improve their quality of life.”
The joint statement illustrates the value of social workers in adult services, stating we must ‘make sure that services are personalised and that people’s human rights are safeguarded’ and giving a reminder that that ‘in a time of recession, the demand for social workers may rise as the number of referrals increases.’
The statement concludes by endorsing the approach of the Social Work Task Force and indicates that employers should ‘develop career structures that keep and reward Social Workers who stay in practice’ and ‘provide opportunities for them to influence policy and practice.’
Ruth Cartwright again, ‘Social work with adults is going through some troubled times and we need to be strong and assertive in maintaining and developing our status, and this statement should help us to argue our case.’
