Social work union branch calls for Care Review chair to be replaced
Fiona Simpson
Monday, February 15, 2021
Social workers in the North East of England have called on Care Review chair Josh MacAlister to step down from the position amid concerns over his independence.
The call is one of many criticisms of the review, which was announced last month, put forward in a statement by the British Association of Social Worker’s (BASW) North East branch.
The statement, posted on the branch’s website on Friday (12 February) has also been supported by BASW London.
It calls for MacAlister, founder of Frontline social care, to “recuse” his position as it “is not sufficiently confident in the current chair’s ability to undertake the role with the independence and expertise necessary to ensure maximum benefit for children, young people and families in this ‘once in a generation’ review”.
Sector leaders have previously questioned MacAlister’s role as chair due to funding received by Frontline from the Department for Education.
BASW North East branch position statement on the Care Review
— BASW North East (@BASW_NorthEast) February 11, 2021
In solidarity with our sister branch @BASW_LDN which has adopted this statement. https://t.co/qM1mOXu8R5
MacAlister has responded to critics calling on them to “judge me by my actions”. He has also agreed to step down as founder of Frontline when he officially takes up the position of chair next month.
The statement from BASW North East adds: “[The] committee calls for the review to appoint a new chair through a fair, open and transparent process who meets the essential criteria of independence, expertise and experience and who has the trust of experts by experience and other stakeholders.”
It also calls for the terms of reference for the review to be rewritten to include a commitment that the government will spend at least two years on the project as well as added support for care-experienced people chosen to take part in MacAlister’s Experts by Experience group and others who submit evidence to the review.
BASW North East are also calling for the removal of “prejudicial references to ‘boosting adoption’” from the terms of reference.
“Further, the language and content should be focused on support for children, young people and families, rather than on framing them as economic burdens,” it adds.
The statement asks for “reassurance from the review team that the review will not preclude the possibility of calling for investment in initiatives and projects that have improved the lives and experiences of children, young people and families but which do not align with known central government agendas or initiatives” and urges government not to exclude the impact of poverty from the review.
BASW North East has called on BASW England to support its statement and “take a lead role in promoting awareness, discussion and informed, critical discourse on the review”.
Incredible to have had over 1,000 applications to join the Experts by Experience group! I’ve been inspired reading about the amazing work that these experts do to bring about positive change for children & families. Thank you to all who applied.
— Josh MacAlister (@JoshMacAlister) February 12, 2021
It comes as MacAlister shared a third Twitter thread on Friday updating followers on progress so far.
He said more than 1,000 people had applied to join the Experts by Experience group and added: “I’ve been inspired reading about the amazing work that these experts do to bring about positive change for children and families. Thank you to all who applied.”
MacAlister also revealed that one of the first tasks issued to the group next month will be to “agree ways for everyone who applied - and many others - to be part of the review process”.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The independent review of children’s social care will set out to radically reform the system, and we will shortly be setting out timings for this ambitious work.
“Josh MacAlister was appointed because of his understanding of the challenges facing the system and his experience of implementing innovative solutions. He will permanently step down from his role at Frontline and will be expected to comply with the Seven Principles of Public Life, in line with standard practice for senior appointments.”
BASW England has been contacted for comment.
