The focus of this report is on the MHA and its interface with the MCA, Deprivation of Liberty and the implications of the Supreme Court judgment (P v Cheshire West and Chester Council and P and Q v Surrey County Council [2014] UKSC 19). The latter has made it clearer and easier for providers and decision makers to identify where a person is being deprived of their liberty but has also led to a considerable increase in the numbers of people in England and Wales who are considered to be deprived of their liberty for the purposes of receiving care and treatment. The paper summarises the findings from a survey on the court judgment impacted on AMHP practice and service delivery. They show that there has been significant impact on AMHPs and service providers, but the situation appears to be more challenging for certain local authorities where a large proportion of their Best Interests Assessors for DoLS are drawn from the AMHP service. Landmark changes impacting AMHP practice and the local authorities on behalf of which the professionals act have been made as result of the Cheshire West judgement but there remain barriers and challenges in fully implementing these changes arising from the complex and bureaucratic DoLS framework. The Law Commission has been tasked to look for a framework that is simpler, while still protecting the rights of vulnerable people with mental health problems and those who lack capacity, with final report and draft legislation due to be published in summer 2017.
(Edited publisher abstract)
The focus of this report is on the MHA and its interface with the MCA, Deprivation of Liberty and the implications of the Supreme Court judgment (P v Cheshire West and Chester Council and P and Q v Surrey County Council [2014] UKSC 19). The latter has made it clearer and easier for providers and decision makers to identify where a person is being deprived of their liberty but has also led to a considerable increase in the numbers of people in England and Wales who are considered to be deprived of their liberty for the purposes of receiving care and treatment. The paper summarises the findings from a survey on the court judgment impacted on AMHP practice and service delivery. They show that there has been significant impact on AMHPs and service providers, but the situation appears to be more challenging for certain local authorities where a large proportion of their Best Interests Assessors for DoLS are drawn from the AMHP service. Landmark changes impacting AMHP practice and the local authorities on behalf of which the professionals act have been made as result of the Cheshire West judgement but there remain barriers and challenges in fully implementing these changes arising from the complex and bureaucratic DoLS framework. The Law Commission has been tasked to look for a framework that is simpler, while still protecting the rights of vulnerable people with mental health problems and those who lack capacity, with final report and draft legislation due to be published in summer 2017.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental capacity, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, surveys, approved mental health professionals, local authorities, mental health law, Supreme Court;
Presents the findings of a review of the role, activities and financial situation of the College of SocialWork, examining the possible functions of a professional college, its membership function, the practice and policy development function, the conferences, events and training functions, its accreditation function, the College’s systems and website, its organisational capability, staffing
(Edited publisher abstract)
Presents the findings of a review of the role, activities and financial situation of the College of SocialWork, examining the possible functions of a professional college, its membership function, the practice and policy development function, the conferences, events and training functions, its accreditation function, the College’s systems and website, its organisational capability, staffing and governance, and the finance. The report informed the decision to close the college due to a lack of funds. It highlights a significant gap between income and expenditure in 2013/14 and a further projected gap in 2014/15 of just over £240K. The report however argues that a reinvigorated and sustainable College could have played a prominent and authoritative role in delivering high quality social work practice.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social work, professional associations, professional role, social workers;
This report focuses on the Children’s SocialWork Practices Summit, held by the College of SocialWork (TCSW) in London on 16th October 2014, to draw out and evaluate principles for innovation in children’s services in the light of learning from the social work practice (SWP) pilots. SWPs are autonomous, small groups of social workers, similar to GP practices and independent of their local
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report focuses on the Children’s SocialWork Practices Summit, held by the College of SocialWork (TCSW) in London on 16th October 2014, to draw out and evaluate principles for innovation in children’s services in the light of learning from the social work practice (SWP) pilots. SWPs are autonomous, small groups of social workers, similar to GP practices and independent of their local authorities and their top-down management style. They are designed to carry out innovative work with children and families, to build stronger and more lasting relationships with service users, to adopt a more responsive, proactive style of working with children and families, and to have more control over budgets to fund the placements, support and activities they deem best for children. The paper argues that SWPs provide a workable model for LAs looking to diversify children’s services and try out new, more innovative approaches. For LAs in search of new ideas SWPs can be the key to experimentation, culture change, stronger leadership, better commissioning, decision-making and autonomy, and independence and enterprise.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
evaluation, social work, organisational structure, professional role, social workers, looked after children, childrens social care;
Incorporating the views of practitioners and stakeholders across the country, this review considers what updates are required to ensure the Professional Capabilities Framework reflects the changing context and contemporary practice needs. The report makes a series of recommendations, including: that PCF level descriptors should be enhanced and made a focal point for signposting and integration; that The domain of professional leadership is reviewed so that it encompasses a broader and more up to date definition of leadership, and establishes a coherent relationship with the Knowledge and Skills Statements for practice leaders and practice supervisors; that joint statements are developed to explain priorities and relationships between the PCF and other guidance, including the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Child and Family social work, the Knowledge and Skills Statement for social workers in Adults Services and the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England; and that visual presentation of the PCF is improved, and the refreshed version is disseminated widely.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Incorporating the views of practitioners and stakeholders across the country, this review considers what updates are required to ensure the Professional Capabilities Framework reflects the changing context and contemporary practice needs. The report makes a series of recommendations, including: that PCF level descriptors should be enhanced and made a focal point for signposting and integration; that The domain of professional leadership is reviewed so that it encompasses a broader and more up to date definition of leadership, and establishes a coherent relationship with the Knowledge and Skills Statements for practice leaders and practice supervisors; that joint statements are developed to explain priorities and relationships between the PCF and other guidance, including the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Child and Family social work, the Knowledge and Skills Statement for social workers in Adults Services and the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England; and that visual presentation of the PCF is improved, and the refreshed version is disseminated widely.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
professional role, standards, social workers, skills, staff development;
These additional statements supplement the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) with a descriptor for each domain to reflect the requirements of the Care Act 2014 and support and facilitate the application of the framework. The PCF sets out capability statements to aid social workers in understanding what is expected from them at the level at which they practise. This paper can be used to: support discussion and action to enhance professional development; identifying current strengths and future priorities for development; and support managers in developing role and job descriptions. The key domains covered include: professionalism, values and ethics, diversity, social justice and economic rights, knowledge, critical reflection, skills and interventions, contexts and organisations, and leadership.
(Edited publisher abstract)
These additional statements supplement the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) with a descriptor for each domain to reflect the requirements of the Care Act 2014 and support and facilitate the application of the framework. The PCF sets out capability statements to aid social workers in understanding what is expected from them at the level at which they practise. This paper can be used to: support discussion and action to enhance professional development; identifying current strengths and future priorities for development; and support managers in developing role and job descriptions. The key domains covered include: professionalism, values and ethics, diversity, social justice and economic rights, knowledge, critical reflection, skills and interventions, contexts and organisations, and leadership.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Care Act 2014, professional conduct, professional role, standards, social workers, skills;
This curriculum guide sets out how social workers at all levels, employers and commissioners of learning and development, and educators can prepare the social work workforce to use the Care Act 2014 well. It provides guidance on: how social workers need to be prepared to practice under the act (curriculum content); what this might look like at different levels of practice; how the curriculum can be delivered and assessed; what resources to use to support delivery of the curriculum. The curriculum covers the main areas of practice that are required for social workers to implement the Care Act well. These are: legal literacy and policy context; principles, values and rights; professionalism; professional judgement; and knowledge and skills to support key areas of the act.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This curriculum guide sets out how social workers at all levels, employers and commissioners of learning and development, and educators can prepare the social work workforce to use the Care Act 2014 well. It provides guidance on: how social workers need to be prepared to practice under the act (curriculum content); what this might look like at different levels of practice; how the curriculum can be delivered and assessed; what resources to use to support delivery of the curriculum. The curriculum covers the main areas of practice that are required for social workers to implement the Care Act well. These are: legal literacy and policy context; principles, values and rights; professionalism; professional judgement; and knowledge and skills to support key areas of the act.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Care Act 2014, care reform, curriculum development, training, social workers, education;
Sets out a five-point plan for the government, to help ensure that real social work can thrive. Key actions include: increase investment for social work; put social work at the heart of integrated care for adults; revisit the current inspection regime for children's services; ensure that all services are properly regulated and accountable; and commit to post-qualifying CPD.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Sets out a five-point plan for the government, to help ensure that real social work can thrive. Key actions include: increase investment for social work; put social work at the heart of integrated care for adults; revisit the current inspection regime for children's services; ensure that all services are properly regulated and accountable; and commit to post-qualifying CPD.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social work, integrated care, inspection, childrens social care, continuing professional development, social workers;
This literature review outlines the key findings and 'headlines' from the empirical research on learning disability and challenging behaviour, contextualised within significant policy developments. The review covers: value base and best practice in supporting people with learning disabilities; best practice in mental health in relation to people whose behaviour is labelled as challenging and including links with mainstream mental health services; supporting people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and challenging behaviour; engaging with the perspectives of and understanding the experiences of people with challenging behaviour; the experiences of family carers of people with challenging behaviour; person-centred planning with people with challenging behaviour; self-directed support (SDS) and challenging behaviour; the practice of out-of-area placements and returning people to their local area; transition and learning disability; the organisational context for social workers in supporting people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour; quality of life, wellbeing and learning disability; building community capacity for inclusion of people with challenging behaviour; and good practice guidance prepared by other professional bodies of relevance to the social work role with people with challenging behaviour.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This literature review outlines the key findings and 'headlines' from the empirical research on learning disability and challenging behaviour, contextualised within significant policy developments. The review covers: value base and best practice in supporting people with learning disabilities; best practice in mental health in relation to people whose behaviour is labelled as challenging and including links with mainstream mental health services; supporting people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and challenging behaviour; engaging with the perspectives of and understanding the experiences of people with challenging behaviour; the experiences of family carers of people with challenging behaviour; person-centred planning with people with challenging behaviour; self-directed support (SDS) and challenging behaviour; the practice of out-of-area placements and returning people to their local area; transition and learning disability; the organisational context for social workers in supporting people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour; quality of life, wellbeing and learning disability; building community capacity for inclusion of people with challenging behaviour; and good practice guidance prepared by other professional bodies of relevance to the social work role with people with challenging behaviour.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, challenging behaviour, social work, literature reviews, good practice, person-centred care, user views;
Discussion paper setting out the College of SocialWork's proposals for delivering excellence in social work with older people. It also presents their ideas on why and how social work should be better recognised as a specialism in its own right. The College proposes that: employers of social workers make it clear to older people in their communities how social work can support them and how
(Edited publisher abstract)
Discussion paper setting out the College of SocialWork's proposals for delivering excellence in social work with older people. It also presents their ideas on why and how social work should be better recognised as a specialism in its own right. The College proposes that: employers of social workers make it clear to older people in their communities how social work can support them and how they can access services; commissioners, employers, and the wider social work professions recognise social work with older people as a specialist area of practice; clarification and strengthening of the role of social workers in policy and guidance relevant to older people; and that research evidence to be properly utilised to ensure social work with older people continues to evolve and improve the lived experiences of older people. The paper seeks feedback on the follow areas: how should excellence be defined in terms of social work with older people; what difference can excellent social work make; and how can social work with older people be better recognised and valued. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 24th February at 5pm.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social work, social workers, older people, professional role, good practice;