Transcript The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)

NI Critical Dialogue
Social Work
In
Northern Ireland
Paul Martin
Chief Social Services Officer
Office of Social Services
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Political Context
Social Work is
defined by the society in
which it operates
Relationship
with civil society
Social Work
Education
MINISTER
AGENCIES
RHSCB
DHSSPS
PCC
LCGs
Primary Care/GPs/
Others Independent
Primary Care Providers
Reflects Direct Access by the
Minister on issues such as Performance
HSC
TRUSTS
CSO
Organisational
Societal
-
Review of Public Administration
Demographics
-
Integrated structures
Technology
-
Governance arrangements
Outcomes &
Effectiveness
Trends/lifestyles
(eg obesity)
Population movement
Who
‘Post Conflict’ society
-
The Public
-
User-focus
Social Work
What
Resources
Economy
CSR
Government
-
Devolved assembly
-
Review of Public Administration
-
Legislative and policy context
-
Public safety
-
Productivity
-
Evidence
Key Policy Themes
•
•
•
•
•
•
Safety and quality
Reform of Children’s Services
Integrated working
Empowerment
Social model of care
Emerging rights and responsibilities agenda
1. Government’s commitment –
investment in a range of initiatives.
2. History of social work –
responsive and adaptive to changing
society.
3. Users value the service provided by social
workers.
It’s time to:
- Reclaim traditional roles and tasks;
- Re-energise the profession’s relationship with
local communities;
- Articulate what social workers do and the
difference they make.
Social Work
• Mandate from people who use the services
and the communities they live in;
• Social work’s specialism is its generalism;
• Common purpose, process and values.
The Academic Community
- Balance the tension of working as part of the
system while at the same time challenging the
system;
- An education curriculum that is responsive and
adaptive to changing world of practice;
- Relevant and timely research to inform and
influence policy and practice.
The Future
1.
Define the objectives for social work.
2.
Partnership.
3.
Professional Leadership.