Social work support staff are increasingly being asked to undertake tasks that are beyond their skills, knowledge and training. The need to clarify the roles of assistants, as well as career structures, training and development opportunities are discussed.
Social work support staff are increasingly being asked to undertake tasks that are beyond their skills, knowledge and training. The need to clarify the roles of assistants, as well as career structures, training and development opportunities are discussed.
Subject terms:
social work assistants, staff development, training;
The role of the appropriate adult in helping vulnerable people in criminal investigations is discussed. The article also highlights what social workers can bring and gain from being an appropriate adult themselves.
The role of the appropriate adult in helping vulnerable people in criminal investigations is discussed. The article also highlights what social workers can bring and gain from being an appropriate adult themselves.
Subject terms:
offenders, professional role, social workers, vulnerable adults, young offenders, advocacy, criminal justice;
Awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder varies, but it is recommended that social workers look at the whole family context if they suspect a child has ADHD.
Awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder varies, but it is recommended that social workers look at the whole family context if they suspect a child has ADHD.
Children's professionals working in diverse communities often face challenges if these communities have a resistance to co-operating with the state. The ways in which social workers can overcome language, cultural and religious barriers to improve engagement with minority ethnic communities are discussed. Initiatives mentioned include: Trust for London's Safeguarding Children initiative; Norwood's Somers Children and Family Centre in Hackney, which works with the areas Orthodox Jewish, or Haredi community; and work to develop parent 'champions' to support others in need of parenting.
Children's professionals working in diverse communities often face challenges if these communities have a resistance to co-operating with the state. The ways in which social workers can overcome language, cultural and religious barriers to improve engagement with minority ethnic communities are discussed. Initiatives mentioned include: Trust for London's Safeguarding Children initiative; Norwood's Somers Children and Family Centre in Hackney, which works with the areas Orthodox Jewish, or Haredi community; and work to develop parent 'champions' to support others in need of parenting.
Subject terms:
Jewish people, religious beliefs, social workers, social worker-service user relationships, black and minority ethnic people, child protection, communication, cultural identity;
Early-life loss or trauma suffered by a parent can affect a parent's ability to cope if proper closure is not reached. The issue, it's possible consequences and how practitioners can identify whether unresolved trauma could pose a risk to parenting are explored.
Early-life loss or trauma suffered by a parent can affect a parent's ability to cope if proper closure is not reached. The issue, it's possible consequences and how practitioners can identify whether unresolved trauma could pose a risk to parenting are explored.
Subject terms:
loss, parenting, parents, risk, traumas, family support;
Low morale among Surrey Council's children's services staff was exposed in a damning joint area review report in July 2008. This article reports on the improvements made since, which included managers and unions in Surrey Council children's services working together to improve staff morale and the working environment. This included a jointly facilitated 'health check', which led to further improvements in the working environment. Two of Surrey's children's social workers talk about how the council has responded to the challenges and how these changes have made a positive difference to their working lives.
Low morale among Surrey Council's children's services staff was exposed in a damning joint area review report in July 2008. This article reports on the improvements made since, which included managers and unions in Surrey Council children's services working together to improve staff morale and the working environment. This included a jointly facilitated 'health check', which led to further improvements in the working environment. Two of Surrey's children's social workers talk about how the council has responded to the challenges and how these changes have made a positive difference to their working lives.
Subject terms:
local authorities, morale, social workers, staff management, trade unions, caseload, childrens social care, conditions of employment;
Three social workers describe the professional skills and attributes they need to practise effectively in prisons and high-security hospitals. Jobs covered include a social work manager in a children in need team, a forensic social worker, and social work team leader in Scotland's Open Prison Estate.
Three social workers describe the professional skills and attributes they need to practise effectively in prisons and high-security hospitals. Jobs covered include a social work manager in a children in need team, a forensic social worker, and social work team leader in Scotland's Open Prison Estate.
Subject terms:
prisoners, prisons, secure hospitals, social workers, children in need, forensic social work;
Foster carers' beliefs and lifestyles, such as very strict religion or vegetarianism, can cause social workers to question their suitability to look after specific children. Beliefs can sometimes conflict with anti-discriminatory values of social work. The difficult decisions social workers have to make when demand for care exceeds supply are discussed.
Foster carers' beliefs and lifestyles, such as very strict religion or vegetarianism, can cause social workers to question their suitability to look after specific children. Beliefs can sometimes conflict with anti-discriminatory values of social work. The difficult decisions social workers have to make when demand for care exceeds supply are discussed.
Subject terms:
placement, religious beliefs, social workers, assessment, attitudes, foster care, foster carers;