The Principal Child and Family Social Worker: A Munro Recommendation in Practice

Abstract

Excellent social work can transform people’s lives. The Munro Review of Child Protection reinforced this message by advocating higher practice standards, and the development of organisational learning cultures. One of Professor Munro’s recommendations was the appointment of principal child and family social workers toward this end. The authors of this paper discuss the setting up and delivering on this new role in two very different English local authorities. The first two years’ experience of being in post is drawn on to show that this is one of the most exciting opportunities and developments for English social work in some time. Bridging the practice front line and senior management domains offers a unique contribution to understanding how social work is delivered and experienced. Suggestions for systems change to enhance social work are thus empirically informed and practice-driven. The principal child and family social worker can bring gravitas to practice debates at a time of unprecedented fiscal challenge. In the paper, we reflect on the role and consider our successes and challenges. Any new role benefits from debate about its set-up, the promise and opportunity, and aims and outcomes. This paper starts the debate about the principal child and family social worker.

Keywords:

• principal child and family social worker
• practice reform
• professional leadership
• risk aversion

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tony Stanley

Tony Stanley is the principal child and family social worker at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Holding postgraduate awards in sociology and social work, he has published in both areas, with a particular focus on risk and child welfare. He was co-awarded the British Sociological Association prize for innovation in scholarship in 2012. He has a social work practice interest and background in statutory child welfare. Correspondence to Tony Stanley, Principal Child and Family Social Worker, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Mulberry Place, London E14 2BG, UK. Email: [email protected]

Marion Russell

Marion Russell was the first principal child and family social worker appointed in England, as part of Cornwall Council’s adoption of the recommendations of the Munro Review of Child Protection. She qualified in 1986, and spent 20 years working in and around Glasgow before moving to Cornwall in 2008. She is a strong advocate for the role of PCFSW and chairs the National Network of PCFSWs hosted by The College of Social Work. She is currently undertaking a professional doctorate in Social Work at Cardiff University.