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Reforming Social Work in Tough Times. A Welsh approach:- Jon Skone. Wales. Wales. Wales:. Population of about 3.25 million. £1.4 billion spent on social services. Employing 70,000 people. Supporting 150,000 people (5%) 6181 registered as having a social work qualification.
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Reforming Social Work in Tough Times. A Welsh approach:- Jon Skone.
Wales: • Population of about 3.25 million. • £1.4 billion spent on social services. • Employing 70,000 people. • Supporting 150,000 people (5%) • 6181 registered as having a social work qualification. • 1996 LGR = 22 Unitary Authorities. • 1997 Welsh Assembly Government.
The Miners Strike 1984. • A key experience for many social workers. • Part of community and the struggle. • Loss of community. • Would social workers react in the same way today?
Social work is not the same as social services. • 2005 “Social Work in Wales: A Profession to Value” • 2007 “Fulfilled Lives/ Supportive Communities” • 2011 “Sustainable Social Services for Wales” • 2013 “Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill.
Social work is recognised as being a fundamental part of reforming social services in tough times! • “We are not, as a Government, minded at this point to develop a National College of Social Work in Wales.”
Assessment and Care Management. • “We know that social workers are not simply the deliverers of pre-determined care, but co-ordinators of the support people need” (2011) • The co-production approach. • Need to relearn skills and approaches.
Citizen Centred Services • Children and young people have clear rights, supported by well developed structures to make these a reality, by advocacy services and by a Children’s Commissioner. • The world’s first Commissioner for Older People.
We believe that the label “personalisation” has become too closely associated with a market-led model of consumer choice. • Adopting an approach to stronger citizen control.
Welsh Government principles for social care. • Strong voice and real control. • Supporting each other. • Safety • Respect. • Recovery and restoration. • Adjusting to new circumstances. • Stability. • Simplicity. • Professionalism.
A very public rejection. • “We will work with all stakeholders, and in particular with service user interests, to develop a model of self-directed support that is consistent with our principles for social care” Sustainable Social Services (2011)
And finally…… • The role of social work in reforming social services has been recognised. • The need for changes in policies and practice has been recognised. • The market led model for consumer choice has been rejected.
But beware of • Politicians • Inspectors • Professional arrogance