New Independent Social worker guidance for child abuse and looked after children cases

Posted on October 5th, 2009

Recent high profile events have lead to new draft guidance for independent social workers. Both Harrow council and the Who Cares? Trust have issued information for social workers in the last week.

Harrow council have issued a new contract to be signed by parents to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities during an investigation by social workers.

It is understood that the contract is the first of its kind for social workers.  The letter states that social workers will check on “your parenting skills” and “wider family environment”.  It acts as a checklist for social workers and to aid them to correctly survey homes that are deemed by social workers to be a risk.

The contract ensures that social workers also notice the care paid to family pets, the amount and quality of food available, and for any recent changes to members of the household.

The Who Cares? trust have also issued guidance for social workers and primary care trust workers regarding looked after children.  The trust is concerned that not enough looked after children are receiving access to psychological assessment and regular therapy.

The head of the Who Cares? Trust, Natasha Finlayson said “The experiences that children in care have been through cannot but psychologically scar them.  Yet only the most extreme or easily identifiable problems are noticed and treated.”

The trust has proposed the appointment of designated lead health professionals for looked after children, who would be responsible for ensuring assessments are undertaken and co-ordinating health action plans.

It is widely regarded that recent high profile cases have had an influence over the proposals.  Cases such as Baby P, and Vanessa George – the Plymouth nursery school worker, undoubtedly have a huge effect on independent social workers in the UK.

Avocet ensure that their independent social workers are suitably matched to the social work jobs that are available. All Avocet Independent Social Workers are screened to ensure that they comply with the latest regulations, have the most relevant independent social worker qualifications and are CRB checked.

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Welcome to the independent social work blog by Avocet!

Posted on September 29th, 2009

Welcome to the Avocet Independent Social Workers Blog.  Our aim is to provide the latest news from the independent social work sector, and provide a place of reference for Independent social workers across the UK.

It is a tough time for Social Work.  Children’s Social Workers have had a bad press over the past few months, with several high profile cases in the media.  The number of Independent Social Worker Vacancies have risen steadily, prompting a tv advertising campaign to recruit social workers featuring a string of celebrities.

In a sector already struggling to fill social work vacancies, the BASW has warned in its blog for independent social workers of possible cuts to the social work sector, and invited its members to its “Social Workers – taking our profession Back” rally in London in November.

At Avocet Independent Social Workers, we understand the needs of independent social workers, as well as solicitors and local authorities looking for child social worker services.

We are perfectly placed to make a difference to independent social work recruitment, and make the whole process easier  for both parties.

Whether you are an independent social worker looking for a social work agency, or you are looking for the service of  an independent social worker, then Avocet can help you.

Tags: independent social work agency, independent social worker, independent social worker jobs, independent social worker vacancies
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