News Articles
Search and read social work related news articles across a range of topics
BASW launches guide for social workers on alcohol use in older people
Ahead of Joan Bakewell’s BBC Panorama investigation of older people’s drinking habits, BASW has launched a guide aimed at spotting the signs of alcohol abuse, and expressed concern that the excesses of this group can be overlooked by hospitals.
7th September 2012
SASW: Food parcels “a taste of looming poverty”
Following a report from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) showing that the number of people asking for food parcels from charities in Scotland has doubled in the past two years to 2,200, the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) has warned that the situation will get worse as welfare reforms bite ever harder.
4th September 2012
Social workers exposed online – the dangers we face
Last week saw public attention drawn to the launch of a new “name and shame” website aimed at “exposing the truth” about social workers and their penchant for unjustly removing children from their parents.
3rd September 2012
BASW condemns ‘name and shame’ website and urges employers to act
BASW has expressed serious concern after the emergence of a new website aimed at ‘naming and shaming’ social workers who are involved in child protection work – particularly cases involving the removal of children deemed to be at risk.
29th August 2012
Never knowingly undersold: social workers, not accountants, should have say on assessments
BASW has countered a report by public spending watchdog The Audit Commission, which suggests the adult social care funding gap could be plugged by using unqualified staff to complete assessments, with a reminder that cheaper doesn’t always mean better.
23rd August 2012
Cuts to Working Together guidance will lead to less protection for disabled children
BASW has warned that proposed changes to child protection guidance may exacerbate the risk of abuse faced by disabled children, as Ofsted publish a new study of 173 cases in 12 local authorities, finding that too many disabled children had child protection needs which went unidentified.
22nd August 2012
BASW: Witchcraft abuse action plan positive, but must be backed by more training for social workers
BASW has welcomed moves to empower social workers and other professionals to confront cases of “witchcraft abuse”, following the publication of the government’s national action plan to tackle child abuse linked to faith or belief.
15th August 2012
Dawn McKenzie murder sentencing – foster carers should not be deterred by tragic but isolated case
Following today’s sentencing of a 14 year old boy for killing his foster carer Dawn McKenzie; the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) has described the case as “highly unusual”, and hopes that potential carers will not be deterred from fostering as a result.
10th August 2012
There’s no ‘honour’ in child abuse – Shafilea Ahmed verdict
Read BASW’s latest Huffington Post blog on Shafilea Ahmed’s parents being found guilty of her murder
3rd August 2012
Baby Peter five years on – government must strengthen child protection services not diminish them
Ahead of tomorrow’s five year anniversary of the tragic death of Baby Peter Connolly, BASW has renewed its call for the government to make child protection a priority and support professionals undertaking this very challenging but important work.
2nd August 2012
Changes to adult social care laws could make life easier for social workers
BASW has described proposed changes to the legislation underpinning adult social care, part of the government’s care and support white paper published on 11 July, as having the potential to make life easier for adult social workers, but cautions that the consultation process must be thorough.
12th July 2012
Remploy closures “an act of vandalism”
BASW and its trade union arm the Social Workers Union (SWU) has described the closure of half of Remploy’s factories, which offer work for disabled people “an act of vandalism”.
11th July 2012
Why not Dilnot? Government must not “shy away” from its recommendations
BASW is calling for the immediate implementation of the extra funding proposed by the Dilnot Commission and for the government to entrench reforms of social care by giving social workers a definitive role in care services.
11th July 2012
BASW: New guidance will give doctors more confidence to report abuse
The General Medical Council’s (GMC) pledge to back doctors who report suspected child abuse, even if their fears are later proved groundless, has been endorsed by BASW.
10th July 2012
BASW: Vulnerable families need help, not condemnation
BASW has endorsed a report by three UK children’s charities which warns that the number of children living in vulnerable families in Britain is likely to rise to over one million by 2015.
6th July 2012
BASW urges government to keep adoption policy in proportion
Commenting on government plans to compel councils to consider placing children with approved adopters and remove what ministers have described as “groundless doubts about whether ‘Fostering for Adoption’ is legal and good practice”.
6th July 2012
2012 Student/NQSW survey launched – £50 Amazon prizes up for grabs
Students and newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) could win one of six £50 Amazon vouchers if they take part in BASW’s 2012 annual survey of their experiences of training, supervision and employment.
5th July 2012
Local authorities respond to BASW’s State of Social Work survey
Among the 17 local authorities to respond to BASW’s State of Social Work survey at the time of going to press, many accepted that social workers were under pressure, particularly in children’s services, but emphasised local efforts to ensure their own staff were better protected.
3rd July 2012
BASW urges Government to invest in residential care of children
BASW has called for radical improvement to current residential care facilities, and a right for children to be cared for near to their own communities, following reforms announced by Children’s Minister Tim Loughton, to combat the sexual exploitation of children.
3rd July 2012
The average social worker in England is 46 and female
An assessment of 11 years in the life of the soon to be deceased General Social Care Council has shown an overwhelmingly female profession in England, a mixed racial background and an average age of 46.
26th June 2012
