New social workers lack skills

Newly qualified social workers lack skills in risk analysis when they first start work, a major poll of social work professionals has revealed.

The General Social Care Council (GSCC) survey, seen exclusively by CYP Now, found 93 per cent of almost 500 social workers think newly qualified staff lack key skills when they enter the workplace.

Almost half claimed new social workers didn't have sufficient understanding of risk analysis, while a quarter said recruits need more experience of working with different groups of service users. More than one in eight felt social work training should do more to improve students' communication skills.

Rosie Varley, chair of the GSCC, said the poll reinforces the proposals of the Social Work Taskforce, particularly the recommendation to introduce an assessed year in employment for new workers and the push for high-quality placements for students on social work degrees.