Member News
Social work was firmly on the agenda at the GSCC's annual parliamentary reception last night
The General Social Care Council, the regulator of social workers in England, highlighted the recent report by the Social Work Task Force which outlined a series of reforms needed to transform the profession.
Minster for care services Phil Hope noted the important place social care has in the future of adult social services.
"We have an important role to play in ensuring the services for people are personalised and that people's human rights are safeguarded throughout," he said.
On moving forward with the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force, Hope said the timetable and plan for implementation will be "published shortly".
Baroness Morgan, minister for children, young people and families, also commended the recommendations of the task force and reiterated the importance of "keeping the momentum going".
There was a consensus that a turning point has been reached in what has been a difficult year for social work.
Rosie Varley, chairwoman of the GSCC, called the last 12 months "challenging for the sector as a whole".
But she looked ahead to a period of change and renewal for the profession, including the decision to supervise and assess the first year of practice as a social worker.
"It is only by getting the pro-active aspects of regulation right, the setting of standards, the accreditation of career-long education and the maintenance of the professional register that we will be able to ensure the very highest standards of practice among social workers," said Varley.
The GSCC's annual report into higher education institutions providing social work degrees was also released.
Although more higher education institutions are marked as having met the required standard, further progress is still needed.
Speaking about the report, Varley said the council is "committed to working with the reform board to address these issues as a matter of urgency and of priority".
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd