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 aff airs adviser, The College of Social Work Richard Barker, chair, Policy Development Group, The College of Social Work
Daisy Bogg, member services development offi cer, 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 specifi cally 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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OPINION
Leader column How to solve social work’s identity crisis
Victoria Hart Taking pride in social justice
At the Sharp End Which side are you on?
Things I Liked Social workers off er highlights of the month
Dan Mushens Stay out of your comfort zone
BlogLog Thoughts from The College blog
UPDATE
News from social work and The College
INTERVIEW
Social worker turned academic Dr Martin Webber on why a robust profession requires an evidence base it can call its own
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RESEARCH 13
Dr Mark Osborn argues that fatherhood is changing and says it’s time for child protection social work to bring dads in from the cold
PRACTICE
Social workers Amy Norris, Jan Parker and Maggie Siviter discuss the pros and cons of relaxing child protection assessment timescales
POLICY
Why social work must be at the heart of the care and support White Paper. Joy Ogden reports from The College of Social Work summit.
Social worker Ben Martin carries out an assessment of the profession’s needs.