England Blog
Opinions and Comment About Social Work in England
BLOG: DPP to be congratulated for recognition that justice system is failing sexual abuse victims
Following the failings identified by the Jimmy Savile case and the exploitation of young girls by gangs, the director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer QC has called for a new approach to tackle child sexual exploitation prosecutions, so that claims are taken seriously and cases are not dropped at an early stage. Mr Starmer has been quoted as saying police and Crown lawyers need to change the way they deal with cases of alleged sex abuse to avoid “another Savile moment.” BASW professional officer Sue Kent, who will be attending a roundtable meeting with the DPP to discuss proposed reforms, explains.
7th March 2013
BASW – We need a sensible debate on welfare reform, not underhand attacks on benefit claimants
In a Huffington Post blog, BASW’s press officer assesses how the media is being used to promote the government’s proposals on welfare reform by demonising benefit claimants such as mum of 11 Heather Frost. Ms Frost hit the headlines after claims that she has demanded a £400,000 ‘eco mansion’ be built by Tewkesbury council.
21st February 2013
BLOG: Relief that decision reached on Dilnot must not gloss over flaws
BASW professional officer Joe Godden assesses the latest incarnation of the Dilnot report.
13th February 2013
Sue Kent - Tracing birth families on Facebook can have a devastating impact
Writing for the Guardian Social Care Network, BASW professional officer Sue Kent examines how Facebook is increasingly being used for unplanned communication between adoptive and birth families.
13th February 2013
England report - March 2013
13th February 2013
BLOG: Children must not pay price of targets to reduce time on care proceedings
BASW professional officer Sue Kent examines the issues raised by a new report from the Child Protection All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), that highlights a family courts system under extreme pressure.
13th February 2013
Bridget Robb - Social workers at Mid Staffs must ask why they didn't blow the whistle
Writing for the Guardian Social Care Network, BASW's acting chief executive Bridget Robb explains why the Mid Staffs NHS scandal is also a disgrace shared by the social work profession.
6th February 2013
BLOG – deregistration threat to social work role should not be ignored
Following reports that 8,425 from an estimated 88,000 social workers have not registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in England, BASW professional officer Joe Godden is calling for action to prevent an erosion of social work identity.
10th January 2013
England report – December 2012
19th December 2012
BLOG: Troubled families? Or troubled stats?
Writing in the Huffington Post, BASW's press officer debunks the stats being used to promote the Troubled Families initiative.
19th December 2012
BLOG: In Support of Nurses
BASW England Manager Ruth Cartwright on why the social work profession should support nurses.
10th December 2012
Autumn statement: Bridget Robb - Don’t ask social workers to save lives with no resources
As Chancellor George Osborne unveils his autumn statement, BASW acting chief executive Bridget Robb considers the implications for social workers in a blog for Community Care.
5th December 2012
BLOG: Frontline scheme is no laughing matter
Andrew Ellery, Social Worker and BASW member, assesses the Frontline scheme.
16th November 2012
BASW England's October – Mariella Frostrup, soap operas, the 'adoption tsar' and much more besides ...
BASW England's monthly round-up of activity, this month placing a particular focus on the team's extensive media work, featuring across the airwaves and print media on a host of high profile subjects.
15th October 2012
BASW calls for social workers and judges to get same protection as celebrities
Following a successful campaign to take down a number of online hate sites ‘naming and shaming’ social workers and family court judges engaged in the protection of vulnerable children, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and its trade union arm the Social Workers Union (SWU) is asking for these professionals to receive the same concern from the police as recent high profile figures.
3rd October 2012
Blog: It’s got to be Dilnot
BASW England manager Ruth Cartwright responds to today’s press reports of a government U-turn on social care funding for the elderly.
16th August 2012
Changes to adult social care laws could make life easier for social workers
BASW England's Joe Godden considers the impact of law changes proposed in the adult care white paper on assessments, eligibility and more.
12th July 2012
Blog: Sexual exploitation of children
BASW member Janet Foulds has written a Guardian blog "Child grooming – what social workers should know".
21st May 2012
Blog: Why the Draft Care and Support Bill was more disappointment than relief
My initial reaction to news that the Draft Care and Support Bill had made it into the Queen’s Speech was one of relief followed by disappointment that there was no mention of attempting to resolve the thorny issue of funding.
10th May 2012
New regulatory standards place unreasonable expectations on social workers
BASW has raised concerns that proposed proficiency standards for social workers would place unreasonable expectations on newly-qualified social workers.
7th November 2011
Concern at HPC plans for voluntary student register
The Health Professions Council (HPC) has launched a consultation on whether it should keep a voluntary register for social work students.
7th November 2011
University of Bedfordshire Publish Research on Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
The University of Bedfordshire have published a report entitled ‘What’s Going on?’ into safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation.
7th November 2011
