A major review of the role of English social work is to take place as part of plans set out in the social care workforce report Options for Excellence (Children Now, 18-24 October).
The General Social Care Council will co-ordinate the review, which thereport says will be an "authoritative statement about the purpose,value, role and contribution of social work". Similar work has alreadytaken place in Scotland and Wales.
Rodney Brooke, chair of the council, said: "The review will clarify theunique tasks that social workers carry out."
Last week's launch of Options for Excellence also saw the unveiling of acode of conduct for the recruitment of social care professionals fromabroad. The code aims to encourage ethical recruitment and improvebackground checks on foreign recruits.
- www.everychildmatters.gov.uk; www.sccir.org.uk; See Leader, p15.
