Author: admin

SWAN Edinburgh event – foodbanks: where does social work stand?

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Speakers include Adrian Sinfield, Profesor Emeritus of Social Policy and University Fellow (University of Edinburgh) and Ewan Walker of The Trussell Trust and the Rock Trust, Edinburgh.

A little background to the use of foodbanks in Edinburgh and the Lothians can be found in this Scotsman article from December 2012. All are welcome for this discussion – how should radical social workers respond to the foodbank phenomenon? While there is no need to RSVP, to register your interest in the event and to keep in touch about future SWAN Edinburgh events, please email swanedinburgh@outlook.com

Please share news of this event widely and download and distribute the flyer attached below – see you on the 14th November!

SWAN Ireland 1st Annual Conference!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the conference taking place?

Focus Ireland Training Centre, George’s Hill Apartments,
The corner of Halston Street and Little Britain Street,
Dublin 7,
Ireland.

(10 minute walk from O’Connell Street)

(This venue is wheelchair accessible)

When is the conference taking place?

Friday, 1 November 2013 from 10:30 to 17:00

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

There is very limited on street pay and display parking near the event. Public transport and walking are the best options to get to the venue.

WALKING: From the Spire on O’ Connell street walk down Henry street (one of the main shopping streets in Dublin). Henry street turns into Mary street. Continue on to Mary Street. At the end of Mary street turn right on to Capel street. Walk for approximately three minutes and turn left on to Little Britain Street. Walk straight (about two minutes) until you reach a small square with a park on your right hand side. On the left corner of the square is George’s Hill Apartments. Walk into the apartment complex and you will see a church on your left hand side. The conference is in this building.

If you are taking a regional train into Dubln, Connolly station is a five minute walk from O’Connell street (walk down Talbot street and you will arrive straight at the Spire)

If you arrive to Dublin at Heuston train station, take the red line Luas to the Middle Abbey street stop and walk three minutes to the Spire.

For train timetables check: www.iarnrodeireann.ie

For bus timetable check: www.buseireann.ie

For local bus timetables check: www.dublinbus.ie

Speaker Biography’s

Dr Margaret Kennedy PhD
Margaret is a specialist on ‘disability and abuse’, having pioneered resources and training in this difficult area of child protection over 20 years. She has written extensively on this subject and gained awards for her work. She has lectured across the world and presented in the EU and in the Oireachtas. She was instrumental in bringing to light ‘The McCoy Report’ into abuse of learning disabled people in the Brothers of Charity , Galway.  See the programme ‘would you believe’ ‘The Spirit & the Letter’ www.rte.ie/tv/wouldyoubelieve/thespiritandtheletter.html
– She also founded a support group for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors in the UK ‘MACSAS’ ‘Minister & Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors’. Now living in Ireland Margaret is passionately concerned about disability equality and the erosion of disability rights and equality under ‘austerity’ politics. She is a disabled feminist Christian, intent on uncovering injustice in all its forms, especially when it involves marginalised groups.
 
Dr. Paul-Michael Garrett
Paul is the author of four single-authored books critically examining social work/social policy relating to children and families: Remaking Social Work with Children and Families (Routledge, 2003); Social Work with Irish Children and Families in Britain (Policy Press, 2004); ‘Transforming’ Children’s Services? (Open University/McGraw Hill, 2009); Social Work and Social Theory (Policy Press, 2013). His work has also appeared in academic journals across a range of disciplines and he has presented papers at a number of international conferences. He is a member of the editorial boards of Critical Social Policy (where he edits the book reviews), the European Journal of Social Work and is a consulting editor for the US-based Journal of Progressive Human Services.
 
Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley
Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley is a lecturer in the Department of History, NUI Galway. Her research centres on the history of childhood and child welfare in Ireland. Her forthcoming book, The Cruelty Man: Child Welfare, the NSPCC and the State in Ireland, 1889-1956 will be published by MUP in November 2013.
 
More to be added soon.

Ticket Price

To register for the conference please go to: http://swanireland.eventbrite.ie/ and register online. Please print your ticket and bring it with you on the day of the conference. PAYMENT TO BE MADE ON THE DAY.

Ticket prices are as follows:

€5 – Unwaged/Student/Service User/Carer.

€10 – Waged/Academic.

€15 – Solidarity Price. Will go towards funding those who cannot afford a ticket.

If you would like to attend the conference but cannot afford a ticket please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you. As this conference is meant to be inclusive and is about building alliances between those working in social services and those using public services, we do not want people being excluded for financial reasons.

I have a question that is not covered in the FAQ’s

If you have a query about the conference that is not answered here please feel free to email us at: socialworkactionnetworkireland@gmail.com or ring 00353-86-8454011.

For more information about the Social Work Action Network Ireland:

Blog: http://socialworkactionnetworkireland.wordpress.com/

Email: socialworkactionnetworkireland@gmail.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swan.ireland.3?fref=ts 

Fight continues against attacks on Hungary’s homeless population

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—

 PRESS RELEASE

The Hungarian Parliament voted for criminalizing homelessness 

By criminalizing street homelessness, the Hungarian government is once again violating fundamental rights and defies the judgement of the Hungarian Constitutional Court. 

On September 30, 2013 hundreds were protesting in Budapest against the modification of the 2012 Petty Offences Act which would allows local governments to create homeless-free zones, i.e. areas where living in public space is considered an offence. According to a late-minute modification by the Minister of Interior, world heritage sites are automatically prohibition zones, but municipalities have the right to designate additional areas as well. As a result of the law, which was adopted by majority the vote of the governing parties, downtown Budapest will be off limits to homeless people who are forced to live on the street. 

The prohibition zones can be introduced by local governments. In Budapest, City Council determines these zones, but local districts can also make recommendations and they have to be consulted by City Council about zones in their areas. The law also criminally penalizes constructions in public spaces without permission, which seriously affects the thousands of shack-dwellers in Hungary today. The building of shacks is considered an offence punishable by jail regardless of the zones. 

On Monday, hundreds of people attended the public protest against the law organized by The City is for All in front of the Parliament. Miklós Fekete-Nagy, a homeless activist said that the law makes him an exile in his home country along with tens of thousands of fellow homeless people. Zsolt Csizi, a man living in a shack that he built talked said that his home was essential to maintain some privacy and an independent household, something which is totally impossible in overcrowded and sub-standard homeless shelters. 

Anna Bende, activist and street social worker stressed that despite allegations by government politicians, official statistics show that there are not enough places for homeless people in the shelter system. In Budapest only, there are at least 4,000 people living in public spaces. She warned that the law is likely to have very dangerous consequences. Once it is passed people living on the streets will be forced into hiding and social workers will not be able to find them, which is especially worrisome with the approaching winter. 

The City is for All condemns the law, as it provides no real solutions for homelessness, but simply seeks to cover up the social crisis in Hungary today. The group has long been campaigning for sustainable and long-term solutions for the housing crisis such as the development of the social housing sector, the introduction of more substantial and equitable housing benefits, and the utilization of empty units and buildings. 

Photos about the protest 

More information:

European Parliament hearing about the criminalization of poverty

Hungary is about to criminalize homelessness once again

A brief history of the criminalization of homelessness in Hungary 

Note to editors: The City is for All is a group of homeless people and their allies who fight for the rights of homeless people and to end homelessness. More information:www.avarosmindenkie.blog.hu 

Contact: Tessza Udvarhelyi +36 20 381 8996, avarosmindenkie@gmail.com

ENDS

—

SWAN will continue with express international solidarity with this and other similar initiatives across the globe, fighting against social injustice, both in Hungary, and elsewhere.

Social Work Action Network Ireland 1st Annual Conference

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SWAN Ireland wants to build alliances with all social workers, social care workers, students, academics, family members, service users, welfare claimants, activists, trade unionists, advocacy workers and care workers, in order to fight for a just society that values people and solidarity at it’s core.

 

Frequently Asked Question’s

Where is the conference taking place?

Focus Ireland Training Centre, George’s Hill Apartments,
The corner of Halston Street and Little Britain Street,
Dublin 7,
Ireland.

(10 minute walk from O’Connell Street)

(This venue is wheelchair accessible)

When is the conference taking place?

Friday, 1 November 2013 from 10:30 to 17:00

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

There is very limited on street pay and display parking near the event. Public transport and walking are the best options to get to the venue.

WALKING: From the Spire on O’ Connell street walk down Henry street (one of the main shopping streets in Dublin). Henry street turns into Mary street. Continue on to Mary Street. At the end of Mary street turn right on to Capel street. Walk for approximately three minutes and turn left on to Little Britain Street. Walk straight (about two minutes) until you reach a small square with a park on your right hand side. On the left corner of the square is George’s Hill Apartments. Walk into the apartment complex and you will see a church on your left hand side. The conference is in this building.

If you are taking a regional train into Dubln, Connolly station is a five minute walk from O’Connell street (walk down Talbot street and you will arrive straight at the Spire)

If you arrive to Dublin at Heuston train station, take the red line Luas to the Middle Abbey street stop and walk three minutes to the Spire.

For train timetables check: www.iarnrodeireann.ie

For bus timetable check: www.buseireann.ie

For local bus timetables check: www.dublinbus.ie

Speaker Biography’s

Dr Margaret Kennedy PhD
Margaret is a specialist on ‘disability and abuse’, having pioneered resources and training in this difficult area of child protection over 20 years. She has written extensively on this subject and gained awards for her work. She has lectured across the world and presented in the EU and in the Oireachtas. She was instrumental in bringing to light ‘The McCoy Report’ into abuse of learning disabled people in the Brothers of Charity , Galway.  See the programme ‘would you believe’ ‘The Spirit & the Letter’ www.rte.ie/tv/wouldyoubelieve/thespiritandtheletter.html
– She also founded a support group for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors in the UK ‘MACSAS’ ‘Minister & Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors’. Now living in Ireland Margaret is passionately concerned about disability equality and the erosion of disability rights and equality under ‘austerity’ politics. She is a disabled feminist Christian, intent on uncovering injustice in all its forms, especially when it involves marginalised groups.
 
Dr. Paul-Michael Garrett
Paul is the author of four single-authored books critically examining social work/social policy relating to children and families: Remaking Social Work with Children and Families (Routledge, 2003); Social Work with Irish Children and Families in Britain (Policy Press, 2004); ‘Transforming’ Children’s Services? (Open University/McGraw Hill, 2009); Social Work and Social Theory (Policy Press, 2013). His work has also appeared in academic journals across a range of disciplines and he has presented papers at a number of international conferences. He is a member of the editorial boards of Critical Social Policy (where he edits the book reviews), the European Journal of Social Work and is a consulting editor for the US-based Journal of Progressive Human Services.
 
Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley
Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley is a lecturer in the Department of History, NUI Galway. Her research centres on the history of childhood and child welfare in Ireland. Her forthcoming book, The Cruelty Man: Child Welfare, the NSPCC and the State in Ireland, 1889-1956 will be published by MUP in November 2013.
 
More to be added soon.

Ticket Price

To register for the conference please go to: http://swanireland.eventbrite.ie/ and register online. Please print your ticket and bring it with you on the day of the conference. PAYMENT TO BE MADE ON THE DAY.

Ticket prices are as follows:

€5 – Unwaged/Student/Service User/Carer.

€10 – Waged/Academic.

€15 – Solidarity Price. Will go towards funding those who cannot afford a ticket.

If you would like to attend the conference but cannot afford a ticket please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you. As this conference is meant to be inclusive and is about building alliances between those working in social services and those using public services, we do not want people being excluded for financial reasons.

I have a question that is not covered in the FAQ’s

If you have a query about the conference that is not answered here please feel free to email us at: socialworkactionnetworkireland@gmail.com or ring 00353-86-8454011.

For more information about the Social Work Action Network Ireland:

Blog: http://socialworkactionnetworkireland.wordpress.com/

Email: socialworkactionnetworkireland@gmail.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swan.ireland.3?fref=ts 

Practice notes: social security, benefits and the role of social workers

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A few suggestions for distribution: pin up in your workplace and give to fellow practitioners – send around your union branches – hand out to fellow students and educators – pass around women’s centres, disabled people’s organisations and service user and carers groups – hand them out at the bus stop! 😉

This resource is intended to be USED in social work and care practice. We hope this will prove a reviving response to the welfare reforms and a tool for all those who encounter it.

NB: the document is hyperlinked so it works best as an electronic copy. That said, if you do a simple internet search on the organisations and themes mentioned, the referenced websites should be easy accessible. Sneak off some copies on your department’s photocopier today…

Solidarity with claimants!
SWAN London

International call out against new proposal to criminalise homelessness in Hungary

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Social Work Action Network is proud to have supported the fight of radical social workers and other Hungarian activisits against the criminalisation of homeless people in this country in the past. In 2011,we organised a petition for the radical social worker Norbert Ferencz from “Új szemelét” (New Directions) when he faced a 3 year jail sentence for his activism against the criminalisation of homeless and poor people in Hungary.

The proposed changes to the Penal Code come despite many international challenges and even rebuttal of similar legislation by the Hungarian Constitutional Court in 2012. Social Work Action Network joins the A Varos Mindenkie call for solidarity by encouraging you to do the following to stop this inhmane piece of legislation and show solidarity with the homeless people in Hungary. There are two things you can do:
– send a brief letter to the Hungarian Minister of Interior, Sándor Pintér, who sumibtted the proposed legal changes, and ask him to withdraw it. His e-mail address is ugyfelszolgalat@bm.gov.hu. You should cc AVM in the message (avarosmindenkie@gmail.com)
– If you have time and resources, organise a solidarity demonstration on or before 30th of September 2013, when the Hungarian Parliament will vote on the proposed legislation. Please send AVM pictures from the protest (avarosmindenkie@gmail.com), so that they can publicise it on their website and facebook page.

SWAN Steering Committee today (Saturday 21st September 2013) sent the following letter to Mr. Pinter:

Dr. Sándor Pintér
Minister
Ministry of Interior
József Attila u. 2-4.
1051 Budapest
Hungary

19th of September 2013.
 
Dear Dr. Pinter,

RE: WITHDRAWAL OF THE PROPOSED MODIFICATION OF THE PENAL CODE

It was brought to our attention that the Hungarian Parliament is once again debating legislation, this time the modification of the Penal Code, that would define street homelessness as an infraction punishable by fine, community service or jail (for “repeat offenders).

The proposed changes would treat homeless Hungarian citizens as criminals, rather than debating how these issues should be addressed in terms of their social and economic causes.  According to the available evidence, there are some 500,000 uninhabited housing units around the country, 324,000 of which are in cities and many could be used in a housing programme for the estimated 30,000 homeless people in Hungary.

The proposed changes are also opting to ignore the Hungarian and international challenges and rebuttal to the proposed human rights abuses against the homeless people:

– In November 2012, the Constitutional Court of Hungary struck down a law that criminalized street homelessness, arguing that the state should address homelessness as a social and not a criminal issue.
– In April 2013, the UN Human Rights Council  noted that the prior amendments to the Basic Law “institutionalize the criminalization of homelessness and enshrines discrimination against the stigmatization of homeless persons in the constitution” (UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Magdalena Sepúlveda ), calling for the government to retract the amendment.

We are appalled that the changes that would result in repeated criminalization of the poorest citizens in Hungary are once again on the Governments’ Agenda. In light of the available evidence, we urge you to withdraw the proposed changes and urge the State Secretariat for Social Inclusion to develop relevant housing programmes.
 
Yours sincerely,

Social Work Action Network (SWAN) Steering Committee Members:

Dr. Mark Baldwin, Director of Social Work Studies and Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Bath
Prof. Peter Beresford, OBE, Director, Centre for Citizen Participation, Brunel University and Chair, Shaping our LIves
Kerry Cuskelly, Mental Health Social Worker/Founding Member of the Social Work Action Network Ireland
Prof. Iain Ferguson, Professor of Social Work and Social Policy, University of the West of Scotland
Dr. Vassilios Ioakimidis, Secretary of the European Association of Schools of Social Work
Prof. Michael Lavalette, Liverpool Hope University, SWAN National Co-ordinator
Barrie Levine, Lecturer in Social Work, Glasgow Caledonian University
Dr. Reima Ana Maglajlic, SWAN International Secretary
Dan Morton, Social Worker and Co-ordinator, SWAN London
Rich Moth, Lecturer in Social Work, Liverpool Hope University
Dr. Terence Murphy, Regional Chair UCU
Dr. Maria Pentaraki, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Liverpool Hope University

Social care workers show solidarity to Hovis Zero Hours Strikers

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‘Hovis workers in Wigan are taking action over zero contracts. This is about all of us, particularly in social care, where Unison reports several thousand privatized care workers are on Zero Hours contracts.

It is also about the most vulnerable who need care and support who do not have consistency of carers. It means often numerous strangers walking through the door often agency workers who do not get a chance to form a bond with people.

Agency workers should be paid decent rate and have permanent contracts as should all care workers, and if the work is there then, there should be permanent jobs and no need for agency.

Hovis workers through mass picketing are on strike for all of us – their struggle is our struggle, the pictures show pickets stopping lorries from leaving the factory with chants such as ‘the workers united will never be defeated’.

Being with them on the picket line has been an inspiration. The Hovis workers know that this is about everyone including Unison and care workers. Pictures tell their own story.

Home carers and social workers have been on the picket line. The lorries were being driven by managers brought in from other parts of the country the mass pickets stopped most of the deliveries.’

 

SWAN backs the Glasgow Homeless Casework Team unofficial strike

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SWAN members in Scotland were pleased to hear today that the striking workers held a lunchtime rally and are also planning to hold another tomorrow.

SWAN as a radical campaigning social work organisation would like to pay tribute to and express our solidarity with the courageous actions of these social workers in standing up to their management and refusing to sacrifice the homeless people with whom they work nor themselves to austerity. They have stuck to their principles and values while drawing a line in the sand; in doing so they reinvigorate and breathe hope back into the profession. We applaud such actions and we will be arranging a healthy donation for the striking workers from our solidarity fund – this should be passed to them tomorrow (Wednesday 18th September).

SWAN Steering Committee members have been sending personal messages of support to our colleagues and comrades in Glasgow:

Michael Lavalette, National Co-ordinator, Social Work Action Network (SWAN):
‘Dear sisters and brothers, I am writing to you as the National Co-ordinator of the Social Work Action Network. I would like to pass on our solidarity greetings and best wishes to our colleagues and comrades who are on strike in the homeless section of Glasgow city council. Your strike is occurring at a vital time. ‘Austerity’ is being used as a cover to transform state welfare provision in a way that is detrimental to workers and service users. Your fight is an inspiration to all of us who want to end privatisation and austerity and who are engaged in the struggle for a better world.’

Iain Ferguson, Steering Committee and Treasurer, Social Work Action Network (SWAN):
‘Solidarity with our striking Glasgow colleagues from the Social Work Action Network.  You are at the sharp end of the fight against cuts and managerialism and deserve the support of us all. We will be urging our supporters throughout the UK to deliver moral and financial solidarity.’

Dan Morton, Steering Commitee, Social Work Action Network (SWAN) and Coordinator, SWAN London:
‘SWAN London send their best wishes and total support to trade union colleagues in Glasgow. Thanks for standing up for homeless people in Glasgow, your colleagues and giving the austerity-mongers a bloody nose!’

Sue Talbot, SWAN Steering Committee and West Yorks SWAN:
‘Brothers and sisters, At a time when public service workers, services and service users are all under the cosh we send solidarity greetings. We know that we’re all suffering the effects of neo-liberal policy and ideology and that we cannot do ‘more for less’ & won’t settle for doing ‘less for less’. We welcome your defence of jobs and services and join you in demanding reinstatement, ‘no cover’ & the filling of vacant posts.’

Mark Baldwin, SWAN Steering Committee, South West England SWAN:
‘The South West Regional group of SWAN in England sends a message of support to the social workers of the North and East Community Homeless Casework Team of Glasgow. The 250 social workers, service users, student social workers and social work academics of the South West of England SWAN network send a message of support at this moment when you are resisting the imposition of working practices which will fundamentally affect not only your own working conditions but, much more importantly, the well-being of people who are homeless.  Their needs and particularly their need for regaining some sense of autonomy in their lives through the support that your team can provide will be seriously compromised if managerial decisions which reduce the service provided are not resisted. We recognise that social workers across the country are being put into very similar positions by managerialist and politically motivated decisions designed to reduce the welfare state at a time when recession and austerity is actually increasing the numbers of people being pushed into needing services like the ones you provide.  In that sense WE are all in this together; your struggle is our struggle.
Stand firm against injustice.  We are with you in spirit’

SWAN would encourage all its members and supporters to send messages of solidarity as soon as possible to Unison Glasgow City Branch. Financial donations can be taken in cash to the branch or by cheque (made payable to the branch and sent to the postal address):

UNISON Glasgow City Branch
84 Bell Street,
Candleriggs,
GLASGOW, G1 1LQ

Phone: +44 (0)141 552 7069
Fax: +44 (0)141 552 3807
Emails: enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk

—-

UPDATE  – Solidarity Works!

UNISON members in Homeless Service returned to work at 1.30pm on Wednesday 18th September on basis that official strike will be organised. A meeting between management and UNISON took place at 2pm today to seek immediate progress on a workload management scheme. Suspended worker reinstated without any further action. Members content that point has been made about unacceptable workloads and poor staffing levels. Total unity of decision to return to work on this basis’.

SWAN stands ready with £250 donation from the national solidarity fund and a further £230 from SWAN London should the Caseworkers progress to further industrial action.

DPAC: Reclaiming our futures week of action

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Thursday 29th August – launch on anniversary of coffin delivery to Atos, make Crossrail fully accessible protest, plus more….
 
Friday 30th August – local protests –go to local MPs, Atos offices, schools and colleges that are creating barriers to inclusion..plus more…
 
Saturday 31st August – disability, art and protest exhibition and gig
 
Sunday 1st September –
The Social Model In the 21st Century – Why is it still relevant?
 
Monday 2nd September – Media direct actions, picking up the pace as we come to the end of the week of action, despite everything we do it is getting more and more difficult to get media space to present the facts whereas there is plenty of space given to misrepresentation of stats and government lies
 
Tuesday 3rd September – ‘I Dare’ day – to reinforce that we want Rights not Charity and a society where we are able to operate on our own terms as disabled people.
 
Wednesday 4th September – Grand Finale events in London and public launch of the Manifesto ‘Reclaiming our Futures’
 
We want to get disabled people from around the UK out resisting, based on their experiences, creating disabled people’s space, raising awareness of what we are all about. But there is plenty of social media stuff too- everyone can be an ‘extremist’!
 
The Anti Atos message last year was very clear and very successful. This year we want the messaging to be broader and to be about what we want and expect from any future government including all aspects of inclusion.
 
At the Rethinking Disability Policy event last September a network of Disabled People’s Organisations agreed to develop a manifesto of demands. The manifesto is nearly ready for consultation and sign up and will be sent out around the network by Inclusion London. Let us know if you’d like a copy.
 
The Reclaiming Our Futures week will launch the manifesto and say what we want to protect our futures.
 
Last year’s ATOS GAMES protests had at least 33 separate local protests in different locations in England, Scotland and Wales over the course of the week.
 
While the Atos Games focused on demonstrating and closing things down, this year’s week of action will retain that anger and include direct action but it will also be a celebration of disability pride.
 
DPAC has some funding for the week of action and we have worked out what we have the capacity to do. We are asking other groups to think about what they can put on and contribute to the week. This needs all of us!
 
We are asking people around the country to do things as well – debates, forums, art exhibitions, protests, to link in with this. Let us know what you’re planning and we’ll publicise it!
 
If you need help with funding to get to London (4th Sept) email us at mail@dpac.uk.net with details. DPAC members will get first priority but we’re hoping to be able to contribute to all that want to come along. If you are unable to come but would like your picture carried send us a photo or message. Please get in touch with any other queries as well and we’ll try to help.
more to come…….
DPAC is a grass roots user-led campaign body. It was formed by a group of disabled people after the first mass protest against the austerity cuts and their impact on disabled people held on the 3rd October in Birmingham 2010, England. It was led by disabled people under the name of The Disabled Peoples’ Protest. DPAC has over 15,000 members and supporters and works with many anti-cuts groups, Universities, Disabled Peoples’ Organizations, and Unions.    
Email: mail@dpac.uk.net    web: www.dpac.uk.net   
twitter: @Dis_PPL_Protest

Your Choice Barnet offered a way out of its financial crisis by Professor Dexter Whitfield

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In his report “The Way Out Of Financial Crisis” Dexter Whitfield States, “The core objective of this report is to set out the case for full and continuing engagement with service users, carers and community organisations, together with staff and trade unions and to show how YCB’s current approach is flawed, fails to provide value for money for the taxpayer and therefore unacceptable.” Please download and share Professor Whitfield’s analysis and recommendations below – this is a campaigning tool against similar plans in your local authority.

At present Your Choice Barnet has not engaged in meaningful consultations with service users and their families. Service users and their families have no direct representation on the Board of Your Choice Barnet.  Your Choice Barnet is very selective about what it chooses to disclose.

Dexter Whitfield urges Your Choice Barnet not to implement its proposed changes to management and staffing.  Service users and their families are concerned that these changes would cause a considerable deterioration in the quality of services provided.

Despite considerable financial difficulties Your Choice Barnet has agreed to new contracts with consultants.  Dexter Whitfield feels they will give little information that Your Choice Barnet does not already know.  He recommends these contracts should be terminated.Campaign Against the Destruction of Disabled Support Services (CADDSS)

Dexter Whitfield recommends that Barnet Council should return YCB services in-house, extend the block contract to ease YCB cash flow problems, and prepare a three-year service development plan with service users, carers, staff and trade unions.

A member of CADDSS voiced the concerns of many, “Carers are extremely worried about  the future care of their loved ones.  What will happen when we are no longer around to look out for them?”

SWAN Conference 2014: Social Work in a Cold Climate

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The main plenary sessions will be organized around the following themes:
 
1) Social work and social justice; building critical alliances.
2) New radicalism: Reflecting on the past, shaping the future.
3) Global austerity and social work; listening to voices of resistance.

We invite workshops, presentations and papers ne the following themes and topics:

• The disability movement
• Debating Government reviews on social work education and adult care
• Challenging the “troubled families” agenda
• Defeating the policies of austerity
• Anti-racist/ social work practice
• Challenging managerialism
• Work with asylum seekers and refugees
• In defense of youth and community work
• Defeating sexism and gender oppression
• User-led groups and community campaigns
• Building alliances- Challenging the strategy of divide and rule
• Radical social work education and practice
• Other themes relevant to the conference

Speakers, workshops and a call for papers will be announced soon.

Important dates and Information

Call For Papers 1 September 2013
Online Registration Opens (information on accommodation will be circulated on this date) 1 October 2013
Close of Abstract submissions 15 January 2014
Notification of accepted abstracts 7 February 2014
Online Registration Closes 25 March 2014

Conference registration costs (including coffee and lunch):
£15 Students
£35 Waged
£65 Academics, trade union representatives
Free For service users and asylum seekers

Sponsorship
We want to keep costs down to promote inclusion and participation. To this end   sponsorship is welcome. Any organisation that supports the ethos of SWAN and would like to contribute to this important event contact swandurham@gmail.com

12th November: Palestine-UK Social Work Network conference

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SWAN is pleased to hear this evening that the Palestine-UK Social Work Network is holding its second annual conference on 12th November this year in London. SWAN National Convenor, Michael Lavalette, spoke among others, at last year’s event.

The conference is £15 waged and £5 for those who are unwaged. The event will be held at the Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA (near Shoreditch Overground and Old Street tube).

Download the flyer below and email palukswnetwork@gmail.com to register your interest with ‘Conference 2013’ in the subject box.

Solidarity with Palestine – Social Work Action Network.