weeks as the principal child and family social worker for Cornwall, a new post proposed for every local authority in the Munro review. It is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the
‘B
wider reconnection of social work, focussing on what makes a diff erence for children and families. It is also a great opportunity to infl uence the reinvestment in frontline social workers. Here are my priorities:
Getting back into direct practice, working with children and their families.
Making clear and accessible links with those working at the front line of children and families social work and representing them as a senior manager. This will mean articulating the challenges they face, their achievements and ideas for improving services.
e careful what you wish for, it might just come true!’ My Granny’s old saying comes to mind as I refl ect on my fi rst six
BLOGLOG
CONTENTS Thoughts from the College blog
Thinking back, one of my most satisfying moments in
my work was seeing a complaint come in [from a service user about the frequency of our contact]... My joy at seeing this complaint was bathed in the knowledge that I had been encouraging her to seek representation and advocate for herself.
peers and their loved ones - now
This is a fantastic opportunity to be
Giving the frontline an infl uential voice in bringing about changes and responding to proposed changes. It will involve making sure there is a real understanding about how proposed changes will impact on frontline service delivery and on practice, including those unintended consequences. So far this has meant leading on streamlining our integrated children’s system (ICS) and revising the standards for supervision.
Promoting best practice, bringing together the team of new principal social workers and commissioning a curriculum for learning and development;
Linking with the national agenda, working closely with The College of Social Work and establishing a network of principal child and family social workers.
These are early and exciting days for the re- design of social work. For me it is a wish come true. I look forward to letting you know how it is all going.
Marion Russell is principal child and family social worker, Cornwall Council.
6 SOCIALWORKMATTERS APR12
part of the wider reconnection of social work, focussing on what makes a difference for children and families
that’s job satisfaction. RUSSELL WEBSTER
I often question myself about the impact of my role. But
it’s only when I sit down and refl ect on the day-to-day interactions with the people I work with that I recognise I can and do make a positive impact. Thanks Ermintrude2 for providing food for thought
In my view social workers need to be very clear about
the levels of contact [of children with parents in care proceedings] and I think children need simple, structured plans that meet their
needs and not the needs of the adults. AMY NORRIS
This is really important stuff – the social worker believes
that the intensity of contact has contributed to long-term developmental damage. This is very likely to be true...
Whose needs are we really meeting within the court
process on contact? Sound research is saying it’s not the child’s!
LESLEY HOLDEN
ERMINTRUDE2
Empowering service users to advocate for themselves, their