1. I work in children's social work practice education, have done for
most of my career (now 55) and read your recent report avidly.
Everything you identified in your research I have thought myself
and it was refreshing to read not only because the style was
accessible but also because I felt your exploration of the issues
reflected an actual wish to see change and provided concrete
suggestions as to how this can be achieved.
I am very passionate about the practice of social work with children
and families and the way in which assessment and decision
making is done in this risk averse age. In a small way, I try to
influence the students I work with to develop not only their skills,
knowledge and values but more importantly, their emotional
intelligence and 'wise self'.
This is inconsistent with the current pressures, timescales and
bureaucratisation of the work place. The lecture theatre is equally
inconsistent with developing self awareness and insight which for
me are key constituents of a competent practitioner. I work with a
number of programmes and see some poor decision making about
who can progress to qualification - and more shockingly, some
very poor practice at post qualifying level in those who are
assessing our social work students. I very much hope that
something will change as a result of your recommendations, in the
meantime, thank you for instilling a grain of hope into a tired
veteran!