Design and Production CPL (Cambridge Publishers Ltd), 275 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JE. www.cpl.co.uk
Editorial advisory panel (interim) Claire Barcham, professional practice development adviser, The College of Social Work Owen Davies, public affairs adviser, The College of Social Work Richard Barker, chair, Policy Development Group, The College of Social Work
Daisy Bogg, member services development officer, The College of Social Work
Social Work Matters is a monthly digital-only publication written, commissioned and edited by The College of Social Work for its members. The College of Social Work Fifth Floor, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5BH. www.tcsw.org.uk
Social workers and all those with an interest in the profession are invited to contribute ideas for content. Ideas, comments and enquiries concerning the publication should be directed to the editor Mark Ivory, mark.ivory@tcsw.org.uk
To obtain a regular digital edition of Social Work Matters, you will need to be a member of The College of Social Work. Join The College at www.tcsw.org.uk
The College of Social Work is a professional college developed and led by social workers to set and raise practice standards, improve the public image of the profession, and shape the policies and procedures under which social work practitioners operate.
The opinions expressed in the editorial content do not necessarily represent the views of The College of Social Work. Unless specifically stated, goods or services mentioned in the publication are not formally endorsed by The College of Social Work, which does not guarantee or endorse or accept liability for any goods or services featured in this publication.
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January2012
Leader column What are good social workers made of?
Victoria Hart Shy about saying what you do? Don’t be!
At the Sharp End Good relationships are needed in tough times
Things I Liked Social workers offer highlights of the month
Maggie Siviter Child protection through the TV camera lens
BlogLog Thoughts from The College blog
News from social work and The College Unique knowledge resource; Tougher entry standards; Social work summit
Social workers Liz Bruce and Jane Hulse talk about their pioneering social enterprise and reflect on careers which seem to have turned full circle
Adoption and permanency
Once again the government is trying to drive up adoption rates. Robert Tapsfield says its single minded focus is much too narrow
Julie Selwyn calls for a renewed attention to permanency planning that emphasises the child’s relationships
June Thoburn surveys the adoption scene and regrets that social workers’ achievements are still too often unrecognised
Mental health
Ruth Allen considers the unfinished revolution in mental health and asks whether institutional thinking still rules the roost
Personalisation and social work
Personalisation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for social work, but talk of empowerment must not be a mask for cuts, says Jon Glasby
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Talking points: social workers Jo Gray and Martin Routledge debate the impact of personalisation on social work with adults