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The creation of a media dialogue that at last addresses the importance of the public sector, of public ownership and pride in Britain’s welfare state is an exceptional achievement and one that must be supported and continued.

SWAN, like Corbyn, rejects the ideology of austerity. Recent developments in social work education and qualifications in England, such as Frontline and Think Ahead,   have shown that market-based ideology is also being used to fundamentally reshape value-based social work and hand the service over to the private sector. Recent experience in the Care Sector shows that the private sector cannot and will not create conditions that allow for respectful, safe and high quality care. SWAN welcomes the debate now taking place about the potential of alternative economic and social policy models.

Whatever your political views, the TUC-supported demonstration outside the Conservative Party Conference on October 4th will provide a great opportunity for all those opposed to austerity to make their feelings known!

Swan Steering Committee 11.8.15

This was recently online and echoes Sir Martin Narey’s 2014 report on social work education where on page 11 of his report he states:

 “It is vital that social work education for those working with children is not dominated by theories of non-oppressive practice, empowerment and partnership”. 

I disagree with this perception, because the strength of anti-oppressive practice is that it actually combines participation, partnership and empowerment, which offers the potential for the service user’s voice to be heard and acted on. Also, it is not only fundamental but crucial that students and developing social workers understand the concepts of anti-oppressive practice, as this will help them by offering choice to service users and will prepare them in how they deal effectively with power differences by addressing the impact of oppression from all angles.  

I would argue that more needs to be done to recognise anti-oppressive practice and debates about this area of practice should never be allowed to run dry! This is not only insulting to a profession whose ethos is to challenge structural inequalities, but rather sad that we have still not managed to get across that very important message about equality and the importance of giving vulnerable people their rights, how very sad indeed! If developing practitioners on social work courses do not learn about the difficulties people encounter in their lives, how will they ever get individuals to take control and empower them? This will only be achieved when social workers feel comfortable in their own profession, and I am sure that all social workers from all sectors will agree that they would benefit from manageable caseloads and good supervision. Social workers need opportunities to talk about what they are going through and the complex cases they are dealing with. This is why the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) is so important because it does not only focus on one area of practice, rather the PCF model actually encourages looking at the practice from all angles. The advantage of this is that social workers are not being penalised, practitioners are being encouraged to reflect, and are also motivated because their strengths are being recognised.

Social workers are having to deal with rapid change far to quickly, for example with the introduction of the Care Act, the assessment paperwork being changed, more emphasis being placed on continued professional development and now having to contend with the changes in education. PLEASE STOP! Let social workers take a moment to breathe! I do not understand why we are moving so fast, have I missed something and what is the rush? Mistakes are made when things are hurried. Change is welcomed, however, stop telling social workers what to do and get them involved in decisions that concern them about their future roles!

The author of the above piece has written several Practitioner’s Perspective articles for Swan. Recently they included the note that they are leaving the profession. Here is a piece on why:

A final farewell

It is said that the most beautiful things in life are hidden and that they are to be discovered and can only be understood by the heart. Indeed, much that is beautiful is hidden, but if its beauty is not to be revealed at all then its very existence is mere speculation surely! It is a good job then that pioneers of the profession like me continue to silence the critics with determination, enthusiasm and powerful words! I guess Shakespeare was right that “the course of true love never did run smooth”. Yet, if the love for something is true then there are valid grounds to fight for it, are there not? When those with a reduced vision cannot see the re-modernization of 21^st century social work I fear what the future will hold for the profession. I know that I will hold steadfast to the core social work values even if a few have been short sighted in seeing potential, never mind hard work!

Whilst the future seems to look bright for social workers, it is important that we do not forget our past and changes to come must be in the best interest of all social workers. Social workers must continue to be involved in any future changes to the profession. I know how much it means to social workers to be heard. As a member of The College of Social Work (TCSW) I have always felt part of a family. Indeed, all families have their problems but in times of difficulties they stand together. I refer to TCSW as my adopted family as they were an organisation unlike the ‘others’ proclaim to be. This family made me feel welcome and they did what they set out to do, they gave me a voice. They nurtured, empowered, encouraged, consolidated, strengthen, and supported me. I will always defend my adopted family to the ramparts and stand shoulder to shoulder with them as this family made me feel wanted!

Time and again many have tried to rein social workers in yet they have failed in all attempts. I know that I will never give in. I will continue to promote the social work profession wherever I end up and I will draw inspiration from the great, as Sir Winston Churchill once said:

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” 

If I am going to accomplish anything then I will do so with honour and on my own, and become a man of worth and that is the greatest lesson my father has taught me and it is something that I will never forget! I have been asked: What will you do now? The answer is not so simple because I still have many people to irritate and upset. No-one said the truth was easy to digest.

As I bid farewell, I leave knowing that I have left my mark on the profession! No doubt that there are many challenges ahead, but that cannot deter one from succeeding and by blending original thinking with focus and rigour I will plough forward with hope! I shall savour all the great moments I have experienced and as my journey continues I will endeavour to champion the profession!

Arreptum iter Coepisset – the journey has just begun!

A plea for social work to be recognised

Per Ardua Ad Alta – through hard work to great heights! Graduating as a social worker is just the beginning of a journey. When I graduated following the completion of my social work degree I remember my tutor saying to me “Your greatest achievements are yet to come and it’s important that you put into practice what you have learnt here”. Recently, when I graduated from The University of Birmingham the Vice-Chancellor and Principal gave a passionate speech and he said: ‘You will carry the richness of your experience at this university with you into an exciting and challenging future’. I have learnt many things as a student and as a social worker. That learning has led me here today to ensure that I continue to raise the platform of the social work profession.

Social work is at its best when social workers are encouraged to think broadly and reflect on their practice. There is a current debate about the social work profession being divided between adult and children social work. I am against the idea because as social workers we do not just assess one person, we look at the situation holistically. The government must allow social workers more opportunities to share their practice experience and this is not happening. There is too much emphasis being placed upon what social workers should be doing, and rather we should be focusing our attention on positive outcomes. Excellent practice means putting the service user first and giving them the opportunity to share their stories.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron was recently in my neck of the woods in Birmingham doing what he does best, talking. Of course, I wanted to be present however with a packed diary and a tight schedule, as a front line social worker, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with all the demands put on us! However, I am sure that there will be ample opportunity for us to meet and discuss the future generation of social workers in the near future. I have no doubt when I do meet with Mr Cameron, my honourable friend will get use to my straight talking and take on board some of my comments as a social worker. In the midst of many distractions and with all the talk of saving money I was surprised, as many were, that MPs were given an 11% pay rise. I have no doubt this pay rise was well deserved as is the pay rise for the hard working social workers who only received a 1% in comparison. It is important that social workers continue to be involved in the future discussions about social work. I am sure that the Prime Minister would appreciate my comments – after all he will agree enthusiasm should never be quelled!

Moving forward it is vital that we continue to hold debates about the role of social workers and it is important for any change to better rather than to divide a profession. More discussion with the right people from the correct backgrounds is imperative. Intellectual curiosity with practical application must continue to play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of social workers, to ensure that they can stand up to those very people in power who seek to diminish our roles!

Note: Imran, the author, has made the decision to leave the social work profession and explore other avenues.

Social Work students will see maintenance grants abolished in 2016 and replaced by additional loans of up to £8,200 per year. When added to the £9,000 per year student fees, a student Social Worker could leave University with direct education related debts of over £55,600.

Working in the public sector they will then see future salary increases capped at 1% per year regardless of inflation, added to a Social Work pay drop of an average of 2.7% between 2012 and 2014 in England. At the same time workloads increase as social worker jobs are cut. In 2014 Local authority adult social services departments saw a drop of 5% of posts from 2013 alone. Early intervention with children and families have seen funds fall by 55% in the past five years; and referrals for safeguarding issues increased hugely, with more than a 50% rise in the number of serious case reviews conducted into the death or serious harm of a child in 2013-14.

Only the ideologues of the right can fail to see the huge increase in Social Work cases as anything other than linked to the increase in poverty and inequality promoted by Government policies. 

At a time like this, it is vital to recruit and retain Social Work students who reflect the diverse makeup of modern Britain and who can bring their rich life experience and commitment to bear on these problems. 

The policies outlined in this budget, together with massive and disproportionate support for right wing ideologically driven Social Work programs like “The Frontline”, will attempt to drive away potential students whose backgrounds and history make them precisely the sort of worker who can give life to the next generation of Social Work.

SWAN condemns this further attempt at the exclusion of potential students from non privileged backgrounds to Social Work and other higher education courses and reaffirms its belief that the truly “best” of the next generation of Social Workers will build their careers not on an false elitist “officer class” identity, but on the commitment to work with and serve the interests of social work service users from a position of equality and Social Justice.  

Dr Terry Murphy

Teeside University

8.7.15

It has been announced that the benefit cap will be lowered to £20,000 outside London. This cap includes housing benefit. In one of the areas where I work, the local housing allowance (i.e. the amount provided if you receive full housing benefit) is £807/month for a two-bedroom property. This would mean that a benefit-reliant family living in a two bed property (i.e. a small family) would be spending nearly half their income on rent. I am particularly worried for a family I work with, which is made up of 2 parents with learning disabilities and five children. Covering even just the basic living costs after their rent payments will be impossible. If they have to move away to a cheaper area, it would mean moving away from all the support systems (both family and statutory) that enable them to safely parent their children. The proposals to stop child benefit for the 3rd+ child will further squeeze large families. 

I am also thinking of another family in which domestic violence is our main concern. The mother has been very clear in her wish to leave the relationship, but the practical barriers to affording and managing two children as a lone parent, one who works a minimum wage, zero-hour contract job, has left her feeling paralysed and overwhelmed. 

Eliminating housing benefit for those under 21 would have a devastating impact on young people who can’t safely remain at home. My heart breaks thinking of transgender friends who, for their own safety, had to leave home but who struggled massively to find safe and affordable housing. Cutting their access to housing benefit would increase their likelihood of being homeless and suffering further violence. 

On a personal note, it looks like I’ll be facing four years of pay increases capped at 1%. My rent has increased at least 4.5% every year for the past four years. With tuition fees where they are and the student maintenance grant converted into a loan, a student looking to become a social worker could be facing £50,000+ in student loans upon graduation. This is a bloody difficult job and when it feels like we’re slipping further and further away from the middle class ourselves, social work recruitment problems will become even more severe. 

8.7.15

Academics and educators from many disciplines offered their support to SWAN at the end of the executive and the mood was best expressed by those who said Social Work and SWAN are clearly at the heart of the current fight for academic freedom and progressive politics, and wished this to be passed to the Social Work Action Network.

The University & College Union :
1. Condemns the proposals to imprison Social Workers working in child protection for wilful neglect on criteria as vague as “showing a lack of imagination” and says these proposals have no place in a democratic modern state and will massively damage services to vulnerable children.

2. Calls for the normal academic freedom to debate and design curricula within a profession to be respected and condemns suggestions in recent Government reports that funding should be cut to courses which include Marxist or other critical theory approaches to understanding the social problems graduates will have to deal with.

3. Rejects the neoconservative & elitist approach offered by the Frontline program based at the University of Bedfordshire and calls on social work academics to consider if the values of this program are compatible with their involvement with it as educators, examiners or in any visiting capacity.

4. Calls for the standards required to qualify graduates in Social Work to remain with the accepted associations of social work educators and not be moved to a neoconservative group of private companies and deplores the related closure of the independent College of Social Work .

5. The Higher Education Committee associates itself with the invaluable work undertaken by the progressive Social Work Action Network in rejecting governmental political interference in Social Work education and calling for a progressive and social justice based approach to the invaluable work Social Workers undertake in society

With the closure of TCSW creating a debate about the nature of leadership within the social work profession, here Imran shares thoughts and reflections. If you are a practitioner with reflections from the field, send them to us at swansocialwork@gmail.com.

‘When the college bell finally rings and the gates close it will be difficult to say goodbye! I shall not weep and look back rather salute those who fought for excellent practice! Despite the major challenges and obstacles that the college encountered in its path it cannot be said that they did not leave a mark! As one great friend remarked it is not the mechanics rather the engineering that deserves credit. Life no doubt will continue after college, there is no doubt about that!

Sometimes in our moments of disappear and destruction can come great inspiration from things around us. I recall the story of Isaac Newton who discovered the principle of universal gravitation by observing the fall of an apple from a tree. There is a danger, with less becoming lesser and with expectations running on a high, that the social worker is forgotten.

If I were to be asked what I have learnt in my short time as a social worker it would be to never give up rather to always be optimistic. I would encourage social workers to strive forward with hope and to always speak the truth. There is often too much noise and rather less doing going on. Everyone seems to think they know best for what social workers need, rather than incorporating those very people in debate in how to move forward.

Historically, social work has never been allowed to stand up and be counted. It has always taken a group of people to step forward to unite us and to present a strong voice for the vulnerable. The message continues to be the same and has not changed, yet something seems to be lost in translation.

The Magna Carta has given hope to many who face oppression and social work has given a voice to those who yearn for the redress of wrongs.

If social work is ever to be a profession one can be proud of, it’s going to take a united front from all to come together. No longer can it be the case of not working together, rather we must bridge our differences and quickly, to save a profession in despair.

Sometimes a few words can carry a powerful message. So I end with a positive note:

Lets shake hands and start over!’