Welfare Reform on the Web (April 2005): Social Care - UK

ANNUAL QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND TRAINING 2003-04

General Social Care Council

London: 2005

Report confirms that social work training continues to be of a high standard, but highlights five areas for further development. These relate to employer participation, workforce planning and diversity, progression rates for minority ethnic and disabled candidates, and practice teaching and assessment.

DIVERSITY AND RIGHTS IN CARE

N. Moonie, A. Bates and D. Spencer-Perkins

Oxford: Heinemann, 2005

The issue of diversity within care and the rights of the individual are now central to the delivery of social care. This book includes practical activities and advice to ensure that a care environment supports the diversity and rights of every individual. The core issues addressed in this book are:

• an in-depth look at understanding diversity and how the care offered affects the rights of the service user;
• advice and guidance on the legal framework, showing what is required to ensure that the care you deliver is within the law;
• how to incorporate correct values and an anti-discriminatory policy into the working procedures of staff;
• an exploration the role of National Minimum Standards.

POST-QUALIFYING FRAMEWORK FOR SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND TRAINING

General Social Care Council

London: [2005]

Three new awards form the backbone of the framework, each corresponding to a stage of professional and career development. These awards will be open to all qualified social workers and cover all the major areas of practice. Regional planning networks will bring employers and universities together to ensure programmes are relevant to workforce planning and regional development.

NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE WORKFORCE IN SCOTLAND 2005-2010: A PLAN FOR ACTION: DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION

Scottish Executive

Edinburgh: 2004

Consultation on the development of a plan of action for the learning and development of all staff working in social work, social care and early education in Scotland.

RELEGATION BATTLE

H. Mulholland

Society Guardian, Mar. 23rd 2005, p.10

Social care inspection faces another painful upheaval - this resulting from a merger with the health and schools regulators. The article finds there are fears the sector will be sidelined.

TAKING THE LONGER VIEW:

P. Gosling

Public Finance, Feb 25th 2005, p. 20

Discusses expected recommendations and positions of the forthcoming social care green paper produced under the auspices of Stephen Ladyman and the King's Fund commissioned Wanless review of the "long term demand and supply of care for older people". There is speculation that there will be conflicting expenditure proposals from the two reports. Direct payments to service users are favoured by Ladyman but disliked by large numbers of clients, while central procurement has been recommended by Gershon's efficiency review. Intermediary brokerage models, cost of service provision, changing demographics and expectations of the social services are covered, while relatively non-contentious moves towards greater partnership and joint procurement between health and social care, further consolidation of Primary Care Trusts and shifting responsibilities within local councils are anticipated from the green paper.