Royal college of social work to give profession a “voice”

A royal college of social work is to be introduced to improve professional standards in the sector, Children’s Secretary Ed Balls has announced.

In an interview with The Guardian, Balls said a report, due to be delivered by the UK’s social work task force today (1 December), is expected to recommend the establishment of a national college of social work to give the industry a “voice", representation, better training and the ability for the profession to shape its future.

Balls said he is working with Justice Secretary Jack Straw to give the new college a royal college status, on a par with the Royal College of Nursing.

"In the first year of practice, we put social workers in situations without proper support and probation that you would never do to a newly qualified teacher, police officer or hospital doctor,” he said. "The quality of social work training at university before you start is not adequate…too many social workers either quit the profession, or go into management to secure promotion".

According to Balls, the task force is also expected to recommend clearer career paths and higher rates of pay to help retain top-quality social workers in the field. Balls said he expected a royal college would act as a beacon of reform in the system, providing standards and probationary periods to workers entering into the profession.

“This is a moment we have never had before to recognise the importance of social work in terms of the potential for the profession and for employers,” he said. “We will support the national college to become a Royal College of Social Workers in the speediest way we can.”

The social work task force was created in part as a result of the Baby Peter case, which sparked a public outcry when it was found that the baby’s death was a result of abuse occurring over an eight-month period that saw over 60 visits from social workers and police.