The context of social work
The diverse nature of social work has been made more complex since the
1980s because of the changes that social work has had to embrace, some of
which have given rise to confusions and uncertainties (Lishman 1998: 91).
The election of the Labour government in 1997 has given rise to other
changes. Devolution has resulted in different policies being implemented in
England, Wales and Scotland. For example, the Social Work Council envisaged
for England is different from the one planned for Scotland. Again, changes put
forward for probation services in England and Wales are different from those
planned for offender services in Scotland.
One philosophy behind some of these changes is a commitment to reduce
health and social inequalities through the establishment of national standards
and objectives in relation to health and social services and a framework for
assessing performance and effectiveness (Huber 1999: 2). These objectives can
be seen in initiatives stemming from Quality Protects (DoH 1998a) and Modernising
Health and Social Services (1998b) and in the government’s commitment
to a ‘what works is what counts’ approach to service delivery (DoH
1998b: 93). Improvements in the quality of care will be overseen through the
establishment of a proposed regulatory body, the General Social Care Council,
which is due to be established in 2001. To achieve these aims, a collaboration
between health and social services and interdisciplinary approaches to social
care are seen as essential, although this may take different forms in various
parts of the United Kingdom. Although the current framework of social work
education and training was only established in 1995, it is about to be changed
again. The introduction of changes will be linked to the setting up of the Social
Work Council and development of the new Code of Conduct for social
workers. These changes and proposals, together with the linking of Quality Protects
grants with quality of services, will continue to have a profound impact
on social work and the range and quality of services provided. If the crisis in
recruiting and retaining social workers continues, it is difficult to see how
these changes can be implemented without incentives to improve staff morale
and performance.