http://www.communitycare.co.uken-gbThu, 29 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/09/29/117493/developing-leadership-among-all-practitioners.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/09/29/117493/developing-leadership-among-all-practitioners.htmlIn the last of our series on the Social Work Reform Board's professional capabilities framework, Kirsty McGregor explores the importance of developing leadership among practitioners at all levels Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/06/03/116943/principal-social-workers-scotlands-experience.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/06/03/116943/principal-social-workers-scotlands-experience.htmlThe Munro Report calls for a principal social worker role to be created at every local authority in England along the same lines as Scotland's chief social work officers. Jackie Cosh reports. Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:54:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/12/10/115997/social-work-reform.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/12/10/115997/social-work-reform.htmlSocial work in England is undergoing major reforms in an attempt to transform the training, quality and status of the profession over the next 10 years. Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:45:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/10/19/115611/social-workers-on-college-of-social-work-board-named.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/10/19/115611/social-workers-on-college-of-social-work-board-named.htmlTen qualified social workers and a service user have been appointed to the interim board of the College of Social Work including Lambeth adults' director Jo Cleary and Croydon children's director Dave Hill (pictured)Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:29:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/19/114935/basw-warns-of-union-domination-if-college-links-with-unison.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/19/114935/basw-warns-of-union-domination-if-college-links-with-unison.htmlThe College of Social Work would become "dominated by trade union interests" if it forms a partnership with Unison, the British Association of Social Workers has warned.Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:03:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/15/114905/college-of-social-work-selects-first-chairs.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/15/114905/college-of-social-work-selects-first-chairs.htmlA former director of social services and an experienced social work academic have been appointed as joint interim chairs of the profession's first ever College of Social Work.Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:02:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/21/114765/social-workers-want-college-to-have-union-style-role.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/21/114765/social-workers-want-college-to-have-union-style-role.html More than half of social workers would like the national college to support them in disputes with employers, early findings of a major consultation have...Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:08:24 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/15/114720/warning-for-munro-review-from-former-taskforce-members.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/15/114720/warning-for-munro-review-from-former-taskforce-members.htmlFormer members of the Social Work Task Force have warned that the government's review of child protection in England must deliver "quick and meaningful" conclusions.Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:05:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/114638/q-and-a-what-does-the-national-college-mean-for-social-workers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/114638/q-and-a-what-does-the-national-college-mean-for-social-workers.htmlQ and A: What does the national college mean for social workers? Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:44:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/114634/loughton-takes-responsibility-for-social-work-reform.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/114634/loughton-takes-responsibility-for-social-work-reform.htmlTim Loughton, children's minister, will take on responsibility for the majority of the social care remit, the Department for Education has confirmed.Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:33:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/114637/gove-promises-support-for-taskforce-recommendations.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/114637/gove-promises-support-for-taskforce-recommendations.htmlThe government will support the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force, education secretary Michael Gove has said. Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:11:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/01/114623/concern-over-government-silence-on-social-work-reform.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/01/114623/concern-over-government-silence-on-social-work-reform.html Sector leaders are calling on the coalition government to end the "anxiety" over the social work reform programme for England and publicly commit to the...Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:26:29 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/24/114576/community-care-live-delegates-views-on-the-national-college-of-social-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/24/114576/community-care-live-delegates-views-on-the-national-college-of-social-work.htmlA major consultation on the future of the national college of social work was launched at Community Care LIVE last week. We asked practitioners and students what they would like the college to achieve for them, and how much they would pay to join.Mon, 24 May 2010 14:34:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/18/114526/social-work-college-consultation-launches-at-live.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/18/114526/social-work-college-consultation-launches-at-live.htmlA major consultation on shaping the country's first college of social work was launched at Community Care Live this evening, ahead of the first interim chair being appointed in June. Tue, 18 May 2010 16:50:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/17/114523/new-scots-directors-head-says-universal-services-unrealistic.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/17/114523/new-scots-directors-head-says-universal-services-unrealistic.html It may be unrealistic to provide universal services at a time when resources are so limited, Scotland's top social worker has warned. Michelle Miller,...Mon, 17 May 2010 15:07:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/06/114430/the-suns-deidre-sanders-warns-against-social-work-cuts.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/06/114430/the-suns-deidre-sanders-warns-against-social-work-cuts.htmlIt would be "horrifyingly short-sighted" for any new government to cut funding for the social work reform programme, The Sun's agony aunt Deidre Sanders has warned.Thu, 06 May 2010 16:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/29/114396/basw-u-turn-over-social-work-college.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/29/114396/basw-u-turn-over-social-work-college.html The British Association of Social Workers has rejoined the development group for a national college of social work in England, abandoning its proposals to...Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:38:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/12/114254/unions-demand-tory-pledge-on-social-worker-jobs.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/12/114254/unions-demand-tory-pledge-on-social-worker-jobs.htmlThe Conservatives must pledge to protect social workers' jobs from spending cuts if they win the general election, union leaders, including Aspect's Roger Kline (pictured), have said. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:54:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/31/114190/regulation-of-childrens-workers-hindering-judgement.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/31/114190/regulation-of-childrens-workers-hindering-judgement.htmlGovernment regulation of children's social workers is hindering sound professional judgement, according to Kent Council's chief executive.Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114178/basw-offers-to-work-alongside-college-development-group.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114178/basw-offers-to-work-alongside-college-development-group.htmlThe British Association of Social Workers has offered to work alongside the official development group for the college of social work in order to make "any...Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114176/basw-rep-withdraws-after-exclusion-from-college-group.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114176/basw-rep-withdraws-after-exclusion-from-college-group.htmlThe British Association of Social Workers' representative on the college development group has stepped down from the role Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:23:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/23/114115/basw-barred-from-national-college-development-group.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/23/114115/basw-barred-from-national-college-development-group.htmlThe British Association of Social Workers has been officially barred from attending meetings of the official national college development group until the outcome of its members' referendum is known. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/19/114097/social-work-education-reform-doable-despite-no-new-funding.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/19/114097/social-work-education-reform-doable-despite-no-new-funding.html Universities face an uphill task in reforming the social work degree in the light of higher education budget cuts, according to academics. The government...Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:57:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114082/local-government-funding-risk-to-social-work-reforms.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114082/local-government-funding-risk-to-social-work-reforms.htmlA lack of local government funding could put the social work reform process at risk, the children's secretary has admitted.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114070/indicators-for-social-work-vacancy-rates-to-be-introduced.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114070/indicators-for-social-work-vacancy-rates-to-be-introduced.htmlNational indicators for vacancy and turnover rates in children's services will be introduced to improve the regulation and supply of social work, the government...Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:24:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114077/sector-welcomes-building-a-safe-and-confident-future.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114077/sector-welcomes-building-a-safe-and-confident-future.htmlSocial work leaders have broadly welcomed Building a Safe and Confident Future: Implementing the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force. Here, five of them give their views.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:27:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114075/government-stalls-on-student-placement-decision.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114075/government-stalls-on-student-placement-decision.htmlThe government has stalled on making a decision on cutting the length of social work students' practice placements from 200 to 130 days. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:53:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114072/employers-to-carry-out-workplace-health-checks-in-2010-11.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114072/employers-to-carry-out-workplace-health-checks-in-2010-11.htmlEmployers will be urged to carry out "health checks" on social workers' working conditions over the next 12 months. A new...Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:46:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114071/national-college-of-social-work-in-place-by-2011.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114071/national-college-of-social-work-in-place-by-2011.htmlAn independent college of social work will be established by March 2011, the government has pledged. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:34:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/09/113993/basw-council-member-resigns-over-breakaway-college-ballot.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/09/113993/basw-council-member-resigns-over-breakaway-college-ballot.html A council member of the British Association of Social Workers has resigned following the decision to ballot members on forming a breakaway college of social...Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:14:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/08/113992/basw-stands-firm-over-decision-to-ballot-members-over-college.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/08/113992/basw-stands-firm-over-decision-to-ballot-members-over-college.html The British Association of Social Workers has defended its decision to ballot members over launching a breakaway college of social work, arguing it is urgently...Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:26:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113976/basws-college-plan-is-most-difficult-task-in-its-history.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113976/basws-college-plan-is-most-difficult-task-in-its-history.html The British Association of Social Workers has set itself the most difficult task in its history in attempting to launch a breakaway national college for...Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113949/basw-vows-to-launch-breakaway-social-work-college.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113949/basw-vows-to-launch-breakaway-social-work-college.htmlThe British Association of Social Workers has vowed to launch a breakaway national college in reaction to persistent doubts over the independence of the official college development group. Moira Gibb, chair of the Social Work Reform Board, said she was "surprised and very disappointed" at BASW's decision. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/24/113885/unison-to-lobby-for-statutory-caseload-limit-in-wales.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/24/113885/unison-to-lobby-for-statutory-caseload-limit-in-wales.htmlUnison plans to lobby for a legally binding caseload limit for social workers in Wales, the union's National Social Care and Home Care Conference was told. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:45:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/19/113857/social-work-academic-spells-out-radical-degree-changes.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/19/113857/social-work-academic-spells-out-radical-degree-changes.htmlThe current placements system for social work students should be scrapped and the degree restructured into two separate courses, one on academic theory and...Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:55:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/18/113839/workload-unions-and-government-on-collision-course.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/18/113839/workload-unions-and-government-on-collision-course.htmlTrade unions and the government are at loggerheads over how quickly councils should implement workload "health checks". Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:08:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/16/113816/letters-to-community-care-18-february-2010.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/16/113816/letters-to-community-care-18-february-2010.htmlAs the owner and operator of a small children's home, I was interested to see Ann Coffey MP ­suggest closing the perceived "loophole" allowing housing to be changed into children's homes without planning permission. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:02:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/11/113774/academic-urges-practitioners-to-pitch-into-reform-debate.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/11/113774/academic-urges-practitioners-to-pitch-into-reform-debate.html A leading academic is urging social workers and students to make their voices heard and "seize the moment" to shape the future of their profession. Hilary...Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:36:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/01/113691/social-work-college-scie-will-be-midwife-not-parent.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/01/113691/social-work-college-scie-will-be-midwife-not-parent.htmlThe Social Care Institute for Excellence has dismissed claims that it will have undue control over a proposed national college of social work, stating it...Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113684/unions-and-employers-to-start-talks-on-career-development.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113684/unions-and-employers-to-start-talks-on-career-development.htmlEmployers are to open talks with unions next week on a national career development framework for social workers in England. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/28/113665/training-university-placement-days-not-to-be-cut-before-2011-12.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/28/113665/training-university-placement-days-not-to-be-cut-before-2011-12.html Plans to reduce the number of placement days from 200 to 130 for social work students in England will not come into effect until the 2011-12 academic year...Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:22:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/113600/basw-survey-is-taskforce-workload-guidance-being-followed.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/113600/basw-survey-is-taskforce-workload-guidance-being-followed.htmlThe British Association of Social Workers is conducting a survey of members to find out if their employers are following the Social Work Task Force's recommendations...Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:03:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113513/securing-useful-social-work-placements.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113513/securing-useful-social-work-placements.htmlMany social work students who are lucky enough to find a placement still end up feeling ill-prepared for the workplace. Amy Taylor examines efforts to involve employers in improving the quality of training Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:31:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113465/cash-constraints-threaten-taskforce-proposals-say-academics.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113465/cash-constraints-threaten-taskforce-proposals-say-academics.htmlThe New Year will see the government publish its detailed action plan on how the Social Work Task Force reforms will be implemented. But already academics are warning that cash constraints could threaten the taskforce’s proposals. Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:34:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113467/surrey-council-uses-journalists-to-help-interview-top-management-candidates-for-social-care-posts.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113467/surrey-council-uses-journalists-to-help-interview-top-management-candidates-for-social-care-posts.htmlSurrey Council is bringing candidates for senior positions in social care face-to-face with journalists to test their media skills. By Natalie ValiosTue, 22 Dec 2009 14:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/21/113457/letters-to-community-care-7-january-2010.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/21/113457/letters-to-community-care-7-january-2010.htmlI was appalled that the advice to social workers struggling with anxiety and depression ("The road to recovery") did not include the obvious advice of "resign and find a less stressful job". Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:10:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/17/113422/taskforce-report-were-not-out-of-touch-say-lecturers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/17/113422/taskforce-report-were-not-out-of-touch-say-lecturers.htmlSocial work lecturers have rejected claims made in the Social Work Task Force's final report that they are out of touch with the realities of frontline practice. (Picture: Alamy)Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:23:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/16/113438/letters-to-community-care-10-december-2009.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/16/113438/letters-to-community-care-10-december-2009.html he much anticipated report from the Social...Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/08/113389/social-workers-have-their-say-on-the-taskforce-proposals.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/08/113389/social-workers-have-their-say-on-the-taskforce-proposals.htmlThe taskforce found social workers in England suffered from staff shortages, inconsistent training, poor support from employers, weak leadership and a lack of understanding from the public and media. Here, we ask social workers from several local authorities what they think of the taskforce proposalsTue, 08 Dec 2009 14:21:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/08/113382/free-care-funding-threat-to-taskforce-reforms.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/08/113382/free-care-funding-threat-to-taskforce-reforms.htmlCouncils have raised concerns about the difficulty of implementing the Social Work Task Force reforms while being asked to raise £250m a year to fund free personal care for adults. Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:16:00 GMT