WIREDGOV

Measures announced to raise the status of the social work profession to mark World Social Work Day.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds yesterday (20 March) marked World Social Work Day by setting out a series of measures to raise the status of the profession and praising social workers for the difference they make in supporting children and families in their care.

The Department for Education has announced two new appointments to work closely with the social work profession and share best practice across the social care system.

Lord Patel of Bradford, a former social worker, will chair the new dedicated social work regulator, Social Work England, which will set professional, education and training standards for social workers.

Former Children’s Minister Edward Timpson will chair the independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel to consider and share the learnings from the most serious child safeguarding cases.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds yesterday said:

The job social workers do couldn’t be more important and yet they are often the unsung heroes of our society.

World Social Work Day is about recognising the real difference they make to children and families who find themselves in some of the most difficult circumstances, providing life-changing care and support.

This Government wants to carry on raising the status of the social work profession which is why we are helping them improve their skills and develop their careers in the interests of the children who need them.

As chair of Social Work England, the new dedicated regulator, Lord Patel of Bradford will bring his experience as a former social worker to make sure the workforce’s views are put at the heart of its development.

The new regulator, jointly set up by the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care, will also make sure all registered child, family and adult social workers have the correct qualifications and meet the standards required for the job and remain fit to practise.

Lord Patel of Bradford, chair of Social Work England, yesterday said:

I am honoured and excited to have been appointed as the chair of Social Work England. As a former social worker I am passionate about our profession and truly believe that social workers do and can help to transform lives for the better. However, I know that our profession currently faces unique pressures and challenges.

Supporting and sustaining good social workers requires a strong, confident and effective regulator, so I want Social Work England to not only lead the way in driving up standards, but also to work collaboratively with the profession to ensure that all standards are evidence-based, rooted in real experience and values, and are fit for the 21st Century.

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, chaired by Edward Timpson, is responsible for overseeing reviews of serious child safeguarding cases which the panel believe include complex or nationally-important issues. It will make sure the findings are shared nationally to inform safeguarding policy and best practice.

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