Devon leads the way as practice educators help train new social workers, and encourage existing teams to continue learning. Experienced social worker Matt Greenhalgh was looking for his next step up the management ladder when he was offered the chance … Continue reading

“Unacceptable” failings by the government’s disability benefit assessment company have led to people being without benefits for months, MPs have said. A report by the Work and Pensions select committee identified numerous failings by Atos Healthcare, which conducts assessments to … Continue reading

Social workers and other practitioners were intimidated by a couple who adopted three children and then abused them both physically, emotionally and verbally over 10 years according to the serious case review. The review found that practitioners failed to challenge … Continue reading

Social workers must not place undue confidence in families’ ability to care for service users if they are to identify abuse perpetrated by and against informal carers, directors have warned. Though such instances are rare, they can go unnoticed because … Continue reading

Planned changes to the regulation of social workers in England are “on track” despite the three-month pause in the Health and Social Care Bill, according to the transfer oversight group. The handover of the regulation of social workers in England … Continue reading

MP Graham Allen’s second report in his government-commissioned review into early intervention was published last week. It began to address how evidence-based schemes can be financed. While reiterating the now widely-recognised evidence that intervening before problems arise yields savings in … Continue reading

After formally commissioning a comprehensive review of child protection in June last year, the government’s response to Professor Eileen Munro’s report marks an important step in mapping out its future strategy for safeguarding the country’s most vulnerable children. The document … Continue reading

The Advanced Social Work Professional status is being piloted in children’s services from autumn 2010. ASWP aims to encourage excellent social workers to remain on the front line and represents one of the most advanced stages of a social worker’s career structure. ASWP … Continue reading

Total cut: £1.2bn According to the King’s Fund, by 2014-15 there could be a £1.2bn funding gap in adult social care. So far, the pattern of cuts in adult social care varies wildly. While Birmingham is cutting £51m from its … Continue reading

The incoming president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services says tough choices brought about by public spending cuts are going to hit young people hard. It’s a beautiful view from Matt Dunkley’s office, across the roofs of the … Continue reading