Troubling Times for British Social Work Education?

Abstract

Although the creation of a new framework for qualifying education in social work combined with the introduction of a new framework for post qualifying education appears to have clarified and protected the future of social work in Britain, there remain a number of problems which these developments have not resolved. Indeed, as I will argue, their implementation has created a set of new questions that could derail the best intentions for the development of British social work. The purpose of this paper is to identify the scope of these problems, which potentially affect the provision both of qualifying and post qualifying education. It is suggested that while these issues may particularly impact upon social work education in England, it is probable that they will also present a problem for other countries in the United Kingdom.

Keywords:

• Higher Education
• Post Qualifying Training
• Professional Practice
• Qualifying Training
• Social Care Workforce

Notes

1. The detailed examples that I have deployed in this section draw on my understanding of developments within my own region, the East Midlands.

2. Any illustrative examples are taken from the area of social work with which I am most familiar, social work with adults.