Poll findings support case for more drug and alcohol training

Nine out of ten social workers think the social work degree should include training on drug, alcohol and substance misuse, supporting longstanding calls from BASW’s Special Interest Group (SIG) on Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Only 11% of 881 respondents to the online poll carried out by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) said substance abuse training should continue to be just offered on post-qualifying training, with 89% calling for it to be included in the degree course.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Sarah Galvani, chair of the BASW group and social work research fellow at the University of Bedfordshire, said: “ We need to listen to the results of this survey and others like it. Alcohol and drug knowledge has to be a part of their core qualifying training. Specialist training alone post qualification is not enough to prepare social workers for the realities of practice.

“Both research and practice evidence tells us that social workers from many areas of specialist practice are working with individuals and their families affected by problematic alcohol and drug use. Alcohol and drug problems stem from, and lead to, social problems. This is not just a health or criminal justice issue.

“Social workers are ideally placed to respond to social problems and support people in their homes and communities but we need to give them the knowledge and skills to do this with confidence.”

The poll findings come as the Education Working Group of the Social Work Reform Board (SWRB) reviews the content and delivery of the curriculum framework for social work. It is considering whether there should be more emphasis on particular issues such as substance abuse training in the degree, although Hilary Burgess, a member of the curriculum sub-group of the Education Working Group of the SWRB, made it clear that drugs and alcohol are only one of a number of competing areas being considered for more attention.

“All initial qualifying programmes should include issues of alcohol and substance misuse in their curricula, but the attention given to this topic must be weighed against the many other pressing demands on the qualifying curriculum – such as relationship breakdowns, behavioural and/or parenting problems, violence and abuse, mental distress and ill-health, physical ill health and disability, all of which need to be considered.”