Success For Swan Dundee At The SASW Awards

After the Journal of Social Work Education rewarded their Calais film, here is their brief account of the SASW awards evening:
 
“When the award was called out, we couldn’t deny that we were a bit disappointed not to win the Student Social Workers of the Year award on Thursday 23rd March – but a few categories later, and completely unexpectedly, we won the Special Award: Leadership in Social Work
 
We were totally delighted, and the reception from so many of the people there was really heartening. The SWAN approach was spoken of very highly during two of the preliminary speeches (from David Thomson and the head of the social work union).”
 
The whole of SWAN thanks Swan Dundee for their passion and energy. We are thrilled for them!

SWAN Dundee win Journal of Social Work Education’s Student Activism Award 2017!

You can read the article here, awarding Rachel, Tom, Marco and Catherine the first prize for their film ‘A Very Human Crisis’. It will be shown at our conference, along with the chance for you to hear their story and ask questions.

This award is incredibly important on many levels. A cynical person (!) might say that once in practice, social workers are kept too busy and too exhausted to build radical and politically charged practice into their day to day activities. Practicing social workers and the people they work with face the poverty and devastation wreaked by neo-liberal ideology every day, but often need others to demand change. Challenging the destruction of good social work is a team effort, and there is no better time to start than as a student, with the support of SWAN behind you. Meet like minded people, build your networks, develop strong habits from the start, make the decision that you will not simply accept that this is the only way. ANOTHER SOCIAL WORK IS POSSIBLE, and Dundee are proving it. 

We await with baited breath the results of the SASW award ceremony tonight….

Join them at the conference in Teesside, 8th and 9th April, by buying a bargain ticket here

VOTING IN YOUR NEW STEERING COMMITTEE 2017-18

All paying members (an annual payment of either £5 or £10 depending upon your status) are encouraged to take part in the AGM held at the conference, and to consider putting themselves forward for election onto the steering committee. 

The steering committee meets two or three times a year for face-to-face meetings, and every two months generally by teleconference. We look for involvement for all parties, and especially encourage service users and practitioners to consider coming forward. Whilst it is hard for many to consider taking on extra commitments, we try to be as inclusive and flexible as possible, and many hands really do make light work. We strongly encourage affiliated organisations to put forward someone to sit as a representative on our committee.

This year, nominations must be submitted by 12pm on Sunday 9th April (this let’s you get to know people during the Saturday social!) and the committee will be finalised that afternoon. You simply put your name forward, with someone to ‘second’ the nomination. Slips will be available, and feel free to approach any current steering committee member with questions throughout the weekend. 

Email swansocialwork@gmail.com with any questions! 

Stand Up To Racism Protests 18th March!

In Glasgow, London and Cardiff this weekend, tens of thousands will protest the overt racism now present in political ideology and contemporary debate. Marking the UN’s Anti-Racism Day, transport has been organised to all three cities and details can be found here. SWAN banners will be present in all three marches so look out for us! We are calling on members to walk in solidarity, with which ever block they want to, which ever organisation or group of friends. Represent SWAN loudly and proudly, and STAND UP TO RACISM. 

ZERO SUICIDE Collaborative Event: Tiverton 20th/21st Feb 2017

Action is being taken in the south West of England with a collaborative meeting taking place in Tiverton. Here are the details: 

PLEASE BRING any information, picture, reports, strategies or news about what’s going on in your area, or any useful information you would like to share.   In particular we are really keen to see all the Public Health Suicide Prevention Strategies from across the South West – so if you can bring your local plan with you to put up on your area notice board that would be really helpful!  Thank you! 

WHERE:  The workshop will be held at The Best Western Tiverton Hotel, Blunders Road, Tiverton, EX16 4DB         http://www.bw-tivertonhotel.co.uk

NEED TO STAY OVERNIGHT?  If you haven’t already done so, we would suggest you make sure you get accommodation booked if you need to – telephone the hotel on 01884 256120 to book a room there.  Tell them that you are attending the Zero Suicide Collaborative event, and you should get a reduced rate.  

WHAT’S HAPPENING WHEN:  You will see that registration opens at 9.00am on Monday 20th Feb, and we will start at 9.45am, finishing at 4.30pm – but with an additional option to join us at a LIFTING THE BLUES music cafe from 5.00 – 7.00pm!    Dave Jones has arranged for two fabulous musicians to join us:  Patsy Gamble https://patsygamble.co.uk/ and John Broomhall  www.johnbroomhall.co.uk . They will play jazz, blues, funk, (and dance, if people aren’t too tired!).   Everyone welcome!       On Day 2 we will start at 9.30am and finish at 4.00pm.

You may want to remind yourself of some of the work that we did at previous Learning Events, or to have a look at some of the films we’ve made, so here’s a link to the website;   http://www.zerosuicide.co.uk/index.php    

We look forward to seeing you on the 20th February! 

 

Swan look forward to hearing how the meeting went and will keep you posted. For more information on getting involved, or to make contact with organisers of the campaign at any point do contact swansocialwork@gmail.com

What Should You Know About The New ‘National Assessment And Accreditation System’

Firstly, an urgent and essential critique of the new system, written by a SWAN member who is also in Unison. Share widely.

“Important – Especially For all Child and Family Social Workers.

The government are bringing in a Child and Family National Assessment and Accreditation System. Although in a consultation period, at present 31 local authorities have signed up to the first phase to implement the system. This includes all of the Greater Manchester authorities.

The government has made clear that by 2020 all frontline social workers will need to have passed the tests for approved Child and Family practitioner status, and managers at every level must obtain practice supervisor status.

The system has been criticised for being unworkable and potentially put social workers health and safety at risk. It will create both extra work in an overstretched service and could create emotional stress, especially for people who do not like tests and a workforce who is not used to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.

  1. The system is based on observation of your practice in different contexts and the quality of your written work.
  2. Online tests: the questions will have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, to test your knowledge such as legislation/child development and procedures.
  3. Online scenario–based assessment: how do you apply knowledge and skills in practice? Video and multimedia simulations will be used to test decision-making in practice situations with a right and wrong answer.
  4. The final stage is direct observation of your response to three scenarios with actors, followed by a written exercise and discussing your response with assessors. This is expected to take place in an assessment centre.

The system has been set up by KPMG who won the contract, and Morning Lane, a training company.

Whilst this article was written by a practitioner and Swan member, Unison has some serious concerns and have sent out a questionnaire to union members, asking for feedback in part on the following points: 

  • Videos are 3 mins in length and reflect the idea of a single solution, or to be precise KPMG single solution. We feel social work and the people we work with are more complex than one solution.
  • When being looked at, social workers found the outcomes were too narrow and specific especially around the legal and medical questions.
  • The accreditation system is based on quasi facts and what KPMG thinks they can measure, that is not related to social work on the ground.
  • The new system’s focus is upon the social workers who are good at passing exams and those who fit the criteria for Frontline. There is a concern that older and more experienced social workers could be disadvantaged by the system.
  • When the system was being piloted, at least 20% social workers failed the tests.
  • Unison feels the national assessment accreditation system is looking to find ‘failing’ social workers and blame individuals, rather than seeing cuts, a lack of resources and high case loads as having a role.
  • “The failure to approach the subject on a systems basis and place in an appropriate context are the overarching and strategic criticisms by BASW”. (Consultation response by BASW). Unison’s concern is that the focus of blame will also be put on families – not looking at issues around discrimination or poverty, or taking inequality in to account.
  • Unison are concerned that social workers will be so pre-occupied with the tests and passing or failing that the natural learning process, especially for new social workers who gain knowledge from their peers and through supervision, will become secondary.
  • In addition the process adds another work task to the already onerous workload carried by social workers and managers. This adds unnecessarily to an already pressurised workforce.
  • How does the scheme fit with existing social work training and supervision?

Unison have organised a meeting, designed to inform and encourage debate on this topic has been organised in Salford for MARCH 7TH @ 12.30pm at the Council Chamber

Anyone keen to contribute nationally to this debate, please do contact us at swansocialwork@gmail.com.”

 

Secondly, read 10 questions that need answers if we are going to cooperate with NAAS? written by Simon Cardy, Unison activist and SWAN member:

The Governments’ National Assessment and Accreditation System (NASS) consultation document ‘Confidence in practice: child and family social work assessment and accreditation system Government Consultation’ closing date for final submissions ends on the 14th March. The first question as social workers we might need to ask is; is there any point in contributing to the consultation?

Peter Beresford from ‘Shaping Our Lives’ said recently that he very rarely gets involved with consultations because all it does is ask for our views and ‘that’s where it can stop’ (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaZp6qM-fd4). That is not to say that all consultation is a fait accompli or, as Peter says, that consultation is not necessarily being dishonest if it makes it clear that is all it does is to seek views.

The truth is, as many of you know this is part of the Government’s on-going narrative that social work services, social work education, and social workers are ‘failing’ and its latest policy is a simple pass or fail that incidentally even its own equality impact assessment found discriminatory  (see https://consult.education.gov.uk/social-work-reform-unit/naas-consultation/supporting_documents/NAAS_EIA_WEB201216.pdf)

In the forward to ‘Confidence in Practice’ the government minister makes no effort to invite either service users or the social work profession to participate in the consultation.  The document assumes everyone is in agreement with NAAS and all it wants to do is ask us what colour would we like to paint the walls? In any event, as if there was any doubt about it, the government has pre-empted any meaningful consultation by rolling out the scheme to 31 local authority pilots.  Pilots usually come after formal consultation not before.  In short the government have not only made up its mind or want to listen to alternatives – it has already begun the process and in that sense, is deeply dishonest.

If individuals wish to submit a response by the 14th March (by 11:45) they should be encouraged to do so and whilst they are likely to be ignored at least you can say they didn’t know what you think about NAAS.

We should be reminded of UNISON’s policy as set out at last summer’s local government delegate conference about which the full text can be read here https://www.unison.org.uk/events/local-government-conference-2016/ (click on decisions 7. Crisis in social work) which, amongst many things agreed to ‘work with other social work organisations such as the British Association of Social Workers and the Social Work Action Network in order to stand up for the wider social work profession in the face of continued Government attacks’.

My feeling is that there is still a lot to play for. Who’s to say that NAAS is a contractual obligation?  In the short term we need to focus on what we don’t know and the best way to respond to address this is collectively though our trade unions and social work organisations like SWAN.  Attending meetings like the one on the 7th of March if you live in the North West is a start.

So here are 10 questions that we need to know:

1. The status of NAAS is still very unclear – is it a qualification, is it a training award, is it a post-graduate qualification, what is it? It is also not clear which body grants the award – it the employer? Is it a NAAS board? Is it KPMG/Morning Lane who might argue shall own the intellectual rights? None of this is clear in the official documents so far that I can see. Whatever it is NAAS is more than a just a training programme – it is effectively a qualification and which will give career advantage in a competitive interview over those social workers without accreditation?

2. There are no proposals to financially reward social workers with increased pay. What is the impact on the knowledge and skill element of single status job evaluation will have on grades in typical authorities. 

3. Why should a social worker who has failed, what is a cornerstone element of the accreditation test, be expected to continue to hold responsibility lead responsibility on a section 47 (Children Act 1989) investigation and hold child protection case holder responsibility? If the government is saying all social workers who lead on CP case need to be at this standard – what is that saying about ASYE or non-accredited social workers.  What will the public expect when they find out that their children’s social worker is not accredited? This might come up in care proceedings where parent’s solicitors make demands that the social worker should be accredited – especially in complex cases.

4. On the flip side, what is the incentive (leaving aside if the test is mandatory or not) of a social worker to pass the test if, when if they fail, they are still expected by their employer to have case holder responsibility for Child Protection?

5. Why should children’s social workers be expected to face the pressure of accreditation when adult social workers are not – especially if they are not going to be paid any more salary? Whilst there may be plans to introduce accreditation for frontline adults’ social workers, the early indication is this  will be confined to specialism’s – and is not going to happen any time soon. This might affect the number of newly qualified social workers going into children’s services.

6. If, as some commentators say, it’s equivalent to AMHP award(Approved Mental Health Professional) then why is the role of an AMHP to undertake mental health assessments protected by statute and a NAAS accredited social worker not. The answer I suspect is that employers have poured cold water on any such idea as it would cause social work shortages.  This view has been expressed by ADCS.

7.  The employer has the power to decide if a social worker is put forward. The government states that ” Employers should have a central role in the process because they have experience of a social worker’s practice through direct observation and access to feedback from children and families” (‘Confidence in Practice’ consultation document P20 bullet pt 1).  What happens if an individual does not want to be put forward? What happens if they want to be put forward and the employer refuses? If the test is mandatory why would any employer refuse?

8. And what is the fate of those that fail the test.  The chief social worker has stated that those that fail will retain their HCPC registration. This means that HCPC registered social workers can continue to practice providing they don’t undertake statutory duties (such as child protection). That could mean that a non accredited social worker could co-work a child protection case if it was allocated to an accredited worker.  This could lead to allocation in ‘name only’ as sometimes happens with social work assistant roles.  However, the government plans to create a new regulatory body over which it will have more influence.  It is not to say that in future children’s social workers will be able to practice in local authorities in any kind of statutory role if they are not accredited under the new regulatory body.

9. The government have said ‘over time’ (Confidence in Practice P11) it wants all child and family social workers holding certain responsibilities to become accredited. Does this mean that employers will initiate capability procedures after 2 or 3 attempts to become accredited? This is quite possible and if the pilot figures are anything to go by this could be as much as 20% of the workforce (see http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2016/07/07/one-fifth-social-workers-failed-accreditation-pilot/).

10. And finally, what are the consequences of declining to undertake the test for refuseniks?  As things stand, providing social workers were willing to undertake section 47 investigations, hold child protection case work responsibility,  whilst at the same time maintaining their registration, it would difficult to dismiss an employee.  One option might be that in future NAAS is made a condition of registration but given registration is for adult and children’s social workers and the new regulator shall have a degree of independence, that might make it difficult for the conservative reformists.  Far more likely is that employers will re-write employment contracts where employment as a children’s social worker will become conditional on a NAAS pass within a specified time limit.

 

Care4Calais Are Recruiting! Download The Job Spec Here.

Reporting directly to Clare Moseley (their founder) this is an excellent opportunity to work for a great cause and gain international experience with the support and direction of someone who knows the workings of the charity inside out. Whilst this is a challenging position, you will be given a thorough induction, initially shadowing Clare through every aspect of the role on a 1-2-1 basis.

Please find the full job description and how to apply in the attachment.

URGENT APPEAL FROM SOCIAL WORK WITHOUT BORDERS

Following the Government’s disgraceful decision to end its commitment to the Dubs Amendment, which provided safe passage for vulnerable unaccompanied children displaced across Europe, Social Workers Without Borders are launching our campaign #DELIVERONDUBS. We are calling on the Government to act on its previous promises and raise the bar to protect these children.

This Campaign coincides with our vital Crowd Justice fundraising effort – see link below, to allow us to continue our support to unaccompanied children and undertake professional Best Interests Assessments. These assessments are currently being used to support 37 children in a High Court challenge by Duncan Lewis Solicitors to appeal the UK Governments rejection of their Asylum claims.

https://www.crowdjustice.org/case/uphold-human-rights-of-unnaccompanied-children/

(LINK BECOMES ACTIVE AT 8PM FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY)

 

There are 2 ways to help:

1.     Please contribute whatever you can to fund our work. This is more essential now than ever. The accommodation centres for children across France close this month and young people are making their way back to Calais to live in conditions more appalling and unsafe then even the now demolished ‘Jungle’.

2.     Please share this email and link as widely as possible with family, friends and organisations who can support. Share on Facebook and Tweet.

https://www.crowdjustice.org/case/uphold-human-rights-of-unnaccompanied-children/ 

Thank you so much for your help.

From all at Social Workers without Borders x

Find a Regional Group Near You

There are a large number of regional groups operating at the moment, and new ones being created all the time. Scan the list below to see if there is one near you and contact swansocialwork@gmail.com for more information/how to get involved. Some groups meet up every few months, some host events, many are driven by students, some such as London are huge loose networks in themselves. Many attend marches and rallies alongside other organisations. Anything is possible and everyone is welcome! 

  • Aberdeen
  • Dundee
  • Glasgow (Swan Scotland)
  • Edinburgh
  • Liverpool
  • Bath/Bristol
  • South Wales
  • Plymouth
  • Southend on Sea
  • London

Ireland have an amazing SWAN network under the Swan Ireland title. 

We also have members across the globe, from Australia, Thailand, Holland, Greece, America….The list goes on! 

Coming soon: 

  • Birmingham
  • Lancaster

We have active members in other areas of the country, even if groups there have not yet been formed, for example the Midlands. The East side of the UK seems to be suffering from a lack of Swan! Can we fix this? We make sure people looking to form new groups are put in touch with others who have been through the same process, and can offer tips! 

Each conference in an amazing opportunity to meet people, this year will be no exception! There may even be people from your local group travelling to it. If you are interested in getting involved, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

 

Swan Conference 2017 – Call for Papers

 ‘DEFENDING WELFARE, WELCOMING REFUGEES: ANOTHER SOCIAL WORK IS POSSIBLE’

The key themes for this year will be refugees and racism; anti-privatisation; welfare reform and international perspectives. 

This year’s conference will take place in Middlesbrough in North East England. Over half of Middlesbrough is made up of areas that are the most deprived in England. Additionally Middlesbrough has the highest proportion of resident asylum seekers and refugees in the UK . The challenges of practicing from a social justice perspective, in such areas of multiple deprivations, form a central focus of the conference.

We welcome presentations (20 mins) or more interactive workshops (60 mins) from ALL including practitioners, service user and social justice organisations, students, educators and trade unionists. 

SWAN keep the cost of this conference as low as possible. Tickets can be purchased here and range from £15 to £35.  Asylum seekers and refugees attend for free.

Please send proposals of no more than 300 words to swanconference2017@gmail.com all proposals will be responded to by 12 March 2017 or sooner.

The full information sheet for this Call For Papers, with added information on the conference, is attached here. We are asking you to share this as widely as possible, amongst colleagues and friends. More than ever, we need to come together in a spirit of hope and solidarity – and above all resistance! 

 

Witnesses To The Invisible: Swan Liverpool Prepare For Third Trip To Dunkirk and Calais

 

The 11th and 12th of February will see SWAN’s third trip over to France, with a large monetary donation to Care4Calais. In a two day trip, students will visit both Dunkirk and the areas around Calais that authorities claim have been cleared of refugees. In reality, many desperate people still congregate in the hope of finding a way through the tunnel, and many arrests are made. There are continued reports of inappropriate police responses towards adults and children. SWAN Liverpool’s activist students will spend time helping at the warehouse, and will take part in ‘walkabouts’ designed to bear witness to the continuing plight of the refugees in the area. 

A report of all three trips to Calais and other SWAN activity will be made available on the website,  as part of our on-going Solidarity With Refugees campaign. 

Mental Wealth Alliance – SWAN Cosign Letter Demanding Change

The Mental Wealth Alliance have sent this letter to 5 major UK therapy and psychology organisations, demanding that they vigorously oppose the degrading treatment of those suffering from mental ill health. Swan is proud to be a co-signer, and urges you to share the link with as many as possible. It is not enough to criticise the government for their devastating workfare regime – large organisations must refuse to work with the government around the benefits system, until the process is changed.