I am delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chief Social Worker for Adults and a Mental Health Social Work lead to the Department of Health and Social Care. Chief Social Worker Sarah McClinton will be joining us in …
Many of you will have seen the announcement from the First Secretary of State, Damian Green outlining the next steps on reform of adult social care. As people are living longer and the population ages, the Government recognises the need …
During the many conversations I have with colleagues in the care and support sector, the challenge of recruiting and retaining a quality social care workforce to serve growing, aging and diversifying populations is a frequent topic. It’s a challenge the …
Readers of my previous blog celebrating the extension and additional funding for Named Social Worker Pilots will already be aware of the Innovation Unit and their collaboration with SCIE as together they work to distil the learning thus far from …
Pilot expansion and extra funding strengthens the voice of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions Delegates attending the National Children and Adults Services Conference (NCAS) in Bournemouth last week might have heard our Minister for Care and …
One of my long standing priorities since taking up my post as Chief Social Worker for Adults at the Department of Health has been to encourage the development and use of research and evidence in improving social work and professional …
National Children and Adult Services (NCAS) conference and exhibition Bournemouth International Centre 11 - 13 October 2017 Terrorism, political upheaval, domestic tragedies and the apparent one step forward, two steps back of the Brexit negotiations – it’s been an unusual and, …
Although it’s true to say that no two days are the same in the world of social work, we generally work with individuals and families to support them through difficult times. We are there to make sure they are safeguarded …
As someone who once worked in an Emergency Duty Team, I have incredible respect for those social workers who work through the night providing vital responses and services to children, families and adults. They work effectively and efficiently alongside colleagues …
Last year's pilot scheme prepares to roll out further. Deadline for expressions of interest is 25 August 2017! Earlier this year, I wrote a blog applauding the early success of an initiative in which people with learning disabilities, mental health challenges …
The opportunity to develop new degree apprenticeship routes into social work is to be welcomed, so long as these additional pathways do not minimise the profession's academic and research base – a concern expressed by some commentators. Importantly, such a …