Reclaiming social work
Most people would agree the image of local government isn't one which usually shouts innovation, but one London Council has developed and implemented a highly innovative model, and created some interesting career options in the process.
Social workers need freedom to practise, at a high level, a range of intellectual abilities and emotional resilience, and they need good support from the organisation they work for.
Hackney Council in East London is pioneering a new social work model which offers that support under the banner Reclaiming Social Work.
At the heart of this model are the social work units - made up of five professionals providing service for 30 to 45 children. The members of each unit work under the leadership of the consultant social worker.
With a focus on keeping children out of care and intensive investment in staff development many new staff, and prospective applicants, are encouraged by the service’s progressive outlook.
More than a quarter of the people living in Hackney are under 19 years old. Hackney’s 57,500 children and young people come from a rich diversity of backgrounds and, as a group are more ethnically-mixed than the population in general.
The units pro-actively work with children and families and Hackney has already generated a significant amount of positive feedback and a high level of professional debate.
The role of the consultant social worker is key to the success of the model.
New recruits Julie Rooke and Karen Schiltroth (pictured WHICH IS WHICH?)) are confident that the units will reap long-term benefits for Hackney’s children.
WHO SAID THIS? “The model is working. We’re learning a lot about families in a short period of time and we’re able to get to core issues quickly. It’s early days but we hope that this means more effective interventions for families earlier on.”
The position offers qualified social workers a hugely varied role, excellent benefits and career progression opportunities and, most importantly, the opportunity to contribute to the model, its success and impact.
The consultant social workers are responsible for the work of the unit and have the support of educational advisors and health advisors as well as social workers, children practitioners and therapists.
Each unit also has a coordinator to manage the administration, to free up social work staff to practice social work.
Hackney's deputy director of Children and Young People’s Services, Steve Goodman said: “It’s great to see the units now operational and good social work practice being carried out by consultants and their colleagues. Reclaiming Social Work is designed to empower staff, lessening their administrative burden, building confidence and reclaiming the profession."
The council is ambitious; it aims to be the leading social work service for children and families in the country, reducing the number children in care by providing intensive and high quality therapeutic and practical support for families.
