Social work needs strong body to fight its corner
Derren Hayes
Monday, July 6, 2015
The announced closure of The College of Social Work (TCSW) has prompted another round of introspection over the future of the social work profession.
It is not particularly new for social work to undergo an identity crisis: it seems to come around periodically, often prompted by a high-profile child protection scandal, changes to qualifications and standards of practice, or moves to introduce market forces in how care is organised and delivered.
A consistent feature of many of these periods of soul-searching is demands by government for reform. The closure of TCSW - when it happens at the end of September - comes against the backdrop of plans for fundamental changes to social work roles and entry qualifications, not to mention who delivers children's social care services. This follows two years of criticism from ministers over the standards of both frontline practitioners and local authorities.
It is this context that makes the government's withdrawal of support for the college - shown through the Department for Education's decision not to award it a workforce accreditation contract - a significant challenge for the profession. In the face of such attacks, professions need to circle the wagons to fight their corner. The best way to do that is to have a strong professional body to stand up for it.
When clinicians are criticised by ministers, whether over GP opening times or planned hospital closures, the medical royal colleges, and the doctor and nursing unions, usually swing into action, refuting government arguments through the use of sound evidence gathered from experts. The College of Social Work could have been a similar focal point for social work - indeed, its specialist faculties have been influential over the past three years in challenging government plans such as the outsourcing of children's social care. But with it now consigned to the dustbin that includes the Children's Workforce Development Council, who will offer that collective voice for children's social work?
Almost inevitably, attention has turned to the British Association of Social Workers (BASW). College leaders have already ruled out any merger with BASW. But some, such as BASW chief executive Hilton Dawson, believe the association could take on some of the roles and functions TCSW performed. He thinks the college's demise is an opportunity BASW cannot pass up. He says the association can fill the void left by the college to become the powerful, independent and unifying voice of social work that is needed to protect the standing and status of the profession.
Could BASW cut a deal to offer a new home to the existing 17,000 college members? Would it want to take over the administration of the college faculties so they can continue to gather knowledge on social work best practice? Such moves would certainly add kudos to the association, not to mention influence. At the moment, BASW looks like the organisation best placed to step up to the plate. It puts it in a strong position in the discussions that will take place both internally and with the college hierarchy over the coming weeks. The outcome will go a long way to deciding how strong the social work voice is in the challenging years ahead.