‘New blueprint future training social workers’, announced by Isabelle Trowler
Described as coming “as part of the most significant transformation to the profession in a generation”, this publication coincides with the Government launching plans for a new gold standard for social workers.
What social workers who work with children and families need to know and do will be set out in one place from ‘the knowledge and skills statement’, unveiled today by chief social worker for children Isabelle Trowler.
Described as coming “as part of the most significant transformation to the profession in a generation”, this publication coincides with the Government launching plans for a new gold standard for social workers. A move described as setting a “clear and high bar for the profession.”
In a statement, Trowler said: “I’m determined to ensure we earn the public’s respect and confidence in our profession by ensuring that every child and family social worker is properly supported to do the job society needs them to do.
“Having absolute clarity about what a social worker needs to know and be able to do and testing that knowledge and skill against a national standard is a critical part of this ambition.”
The knowledge and skills statement will set out what child and family social workers in training are expected to know, including:
- Identifying the full range of risks to children, be it sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect, as well as knowing how to protect them
- Support families by strengthening their relationships, resilience and access to resources
- Understand the impact of adult mental ill health, substance misuse and domestic violence on family functioning and child development
- Plan for permanence for children who can no longer live at home
- Help keep children safe from harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage
This move follows Sir Martin Narey’s review into the education of social workers, Narey said: “I think it has the potential to significantly improve the capacity and confidence of newly qualified social workers.”
Full story courtesy of Community Care
