ADSW respond to Governmant plans to integrate health with social work

The Association of Director’s of Social Work (ADSW) today urged that future delivery of social work and health services for adults is based on an academic review of evidence.

The plea comes following the Scottish Government’s plans to integrate social work and health services.

ADSW President, Andrew Lowe, commented: “In the run up to the May election it became clear that there was cross party interest in further integration of health and social care services. However, it was also clear that the political parties were jumping to the conclusions that changing the structures of the organisations delivering services would improve those services. As a professional association, it is important that we are in a position to advise Government and Parliament in an informed way”.
 
ADSW commissioned research from Professor Alison Petch of the Institute of Research in Social Services. The research also published today, presents a strong evidence base that restructuring services in itself does not lead to improvements; and that locally devised solutions, not nationally imposed ones, are the best way of solving any issues.
 
The report draws on evidence from a number of academics including Ham (2009) who stated that:  “The journey towards integration needs to start from a focus on service users and from different agencies agreeing a shared vision for the future, rather than from structures and organisational solutions.”
 
The report concludes: “To be distracted into structural change cul de sacs would be to renege on the fundamental commitment to the delivery of social justice for all citizens, but most particularly those at risk of poverty and social exclusion.”
 
Andrew Lowe, further commented: “What is clear is that the only consistent way to improve services for people is to set out what they need and work back. Everything we do must be focussed on improving outcomes. We support the need for reform but a centrally driven structural reform would be misguided and will be an expensive waste of time, leading to no real benefit.
 
“We need to get this right – we are talking about people’s lives, we can’t afford to get it wrong and try again. We must look to the evidence.
 
ADSW’s own proposal, informed by the evidence presented in Professor Petch’s research, is based on the fundamental principles, which underpin social work and looks to celebrate local solutions and successes, recognising that different solutions suit different areas.
 
Andrew Lowe said: “Our proposal is to focus the delivery of adult social care and health services by having a nationally agreed set of between 7 and 10 outcomes which every partnership would work towards. These will be based on helping as many people as possible to live safely and independently at home. On top of these outcomes we will put in place new governance arrangements to ensure the different agencies involved in delivering care and health are responsible and accountable for the achievement of these outcomes. And finally, we will sign up to joint plans with our partners which will ensure that money is used to best effect on the right services. This can ensure adult who need our help and support get the most out of our different, but important contributions.
 
“To make the money go round we need a partnership of all the talents; social care, NHS, voluntary, independents, carers and the people who use our services. The change fund introduced last year points the way and we should build on this initiative and listen to Professor Petch.”