In the fifth step of a ten stage campaign, UNISON, the UK‰Ûªs leading public sector union, is calling for social workers to be given the right to 10% of their working time for continuing professional development. Social workers also need time for related activities like reflective practice, mentoring colleagues, supporting students and supporting their peers.
Helga Pile, UNISON national officer for social work, said:
“Ten percent of working time for training and support adds up to just over three hours a week for social workers. Surely this is not too much to ask? In such a high-pressure environment, where decisions can mean life changes for clients, it‰Ûªs important that staff get the time they need to make sure their skills are up to date. Social workers have to deal with complex lives and complicated legislation. Like other professionals such as lawyers and teachers they need to continue developing their knoweldge and expertise throughout their careers.
“We also think its vital that experienced social workers have time available to help newly qualified staff learn the ropes . So often newly qualified social workers feel like they are dropped in at the deep end ‰ÛÒ it’s literally sink or swim. But it’s times like this when mistakes can happen, so giving them access to a mentor to guide and support them would be a huge step forward.
“Reflective practice is about making sure when decisions are made, they are the right ones, and that staff learn any lessons they need. Training and development is not a luxury – it is about making sure children and vulnerable adults get the best possible support and protection.”
Together with Community Care, UNISON has developed a social work contract, setting out a ten-point plan for boosting child protection. Each week, the union is writing to key stakeholders in social work, including the children’s minister, shadow minister, and the Local Government Association, highlighting one point of the plan, and calling on them to give social workers their backing.
ENDS