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Human rights based practice in social work | Social Work Week 2022

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Health Secretary festive message to workforce - gov.scot

Health Secretary festive message to workforce - gov.scot | Social services news | Scoop.it
Heartfelt gratitude to health, social care and social work staff.
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UK care home staff, how are labour shortages affecting you? | Care workers | The Guardian

UK care home staff, how are labour shortages affecting you? | Care workers | The Guardian | Social services news | Scoop.it
We would like to hear from UK care home owners and workers about shortfall in staff...
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Constitutional rows must not affect rights of children, say Scottish campaigners | Children's rights | The Guardian

Constitutional rows must not affect rights of children, say Scottish campaigners | Children's rights | The Guardian | Social services news | Scoop.it
Opposition parties accuse SNP of ‘shamefully using children’s rights to play nationalist games’...
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2021 DigiFest

2021 DigiFest | Social services news | Scoop.it
The Scottish Government's Digital Health and Care Directorate, working with our partners, are pleased to share with you the draft programme for Scotland's annual digital health, housing and care conference, DigiFest.   This year's DigiFest will be a virtual programme with extended dates and opportunities to share learning.  The programme will be virtual & free to participate. The DigiFest programme is aimed at all those who are working to deliver digitally enabled services in health, housing and care. Digital health and care solutions have undergone 18 months of rapid scale-up and development. The programme for the events in November and December will showcase digitally enabled solutions in the context of, citizens, services, home and environment. Join us for this year’s DigiFest to share experience and learn about how digital solutions in Scotland and internationally have grown and how they can support service renewal and redesign.      Themes The programme for the events in November and December will reflect a range of topics and it will provide a forum to share our refreshed Digital Health and Care Strategy.   Programme topics will include:   Scotland’s digital ambitions for renewing health and social care   Hybrid solutions: in-person and digitally enabled pathways Digitally supported citizens - digital participation   The role of Public Health – building trusted services based on data and equity   Impacting sustainability for services & citizens Methodologies for developing digital solutions Sharing international good practice     A range of UK and international keynote speakers will be featured, alongside plenary and workshop sessions.     ePosters  Abstracts will be invited for a virtual poster exhibition. Abstracts which represent digitally enabled examples from: service design, implementation or research, will be reviewed by a panel for inclusion. The winning abstract will receive a prize provided by BCS Health and Care Scotland.     View the Abstract Guidelines here   For more information follow us on @TECScotland    If you have questions about DigiFest21 contact: Nessa.Barry@nhs.scot
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Supporting people who are experiencing domestic abuse

Supporting people who are experiencing domestic abuse | Social services news | Scoop.it
Supporting people who are experiencing domestic abuse...
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How the pandemic exposed the crisis in children’s social care | News | The Guardian

How the pandemic exposed the crisis in children’s social care | News | The Guardian | Social services news | Scoop.it
Children’s services have reached breaking point in some areas as family breakdown and a lack of funding have resulted in a perfect storm...
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Health & Care - Story

Health & Care - Story | Social services news | Scoop.it
People who have been bereaved by suicide will be able to access emotional and practical support as part of a new pilot.The initiative, which was developed with people who have lost a relative to suicide, has launched in NHS Ayrshire...
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My mental health, my digital world

My mental health, my digital world | Social services news | Scoop.it
Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh shares learning from a research project exploring mental health, social media and care experience.
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Scottish Government proposes National Social Work Agency

Scottish Government proposes National Social Work Agency | Social services news | Scoop.it
The Scottish Government is consulting on plans to introduce a National Social Work Agency including a national pay and grading framework...
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PACE - the Permanence and Care Excellence programme from CELCIS

PACE - the Permanence and Care Excellence programme from CELCIS | Social services news | Scoop.it
Here, you’ll find a range of information and resources which provide an insight into CELCIS’s Permanence and Care Excellence (PACE) programme – a Quality Improvement programme which ran from 2014-2020.
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Alzheimer Scotland call for changes ahead of National Care Service

Alzheimer Scotland call for changes ahead of National Care Service | Social services news | Scoop.it
SCOTS with advanced dementia cannot wait until the new National Care Service is set up to benefit from fairer care home costs, a charity leader has…...
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Covid: Isolation rules loosened for critical workers

Covid: Isolation rules loosened for critical workers | Social services news | Scoop.it
People performing "critical" tasks including air traffic controllers will still be able to work under new rules.
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Councils call for billions of pounds to be diverted from NHS to social care | Social care | The Guardian

Councils call for billions of pounds to be diverted from NHS to social care | Social care | The Guardian | Social services news | Scoop.it
Local Government Association wants a rethink of policy to earmark 85% of social care tax receipts for the NHS...
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Integration doesn't have to mean handing the NHS power

Integration doesn't have to mean handing the NHS power | Social services news | Scoop.it
An Observer article last weekend claimed that “radical” proposals for more health and social care integration are being considered by the government, with...
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SSSC forecast demand for adult social care qualifications is set to rise dramatically

SSSC forecast demand for adult social care qualifications is set to rise dramatically | Social services news | Scoop.it
The demand for adult social care qualifications is set to rise dramatically over the next four years according to a new report the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) published today.
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Over £300 million new winter investment for health and care - gov.scot

Over £300 million new winter investment for health and care - gov.scot | Social services news | Scoop.it
Record winter funding package to help increase NHS and social care capacity this winter.
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Social care charges: Disabled and vulnerable adults hit by steep rises

Social care charges: Disabled and vulnerable adults hit by steep rises | Social services news | Scoop.it
Many are facing a significant rise in the money they have to pay towards the support they receive.
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Iriss.fm, Scotland's social services podcast: Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities

Iriss.fm, Scotland's social services podcast: Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities | Social services news | Scoop.it
The research project – – is a UK wide study which has been exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with learning disabilities. In Scotland, the study is led by the University of Glasgow, with the support of the .
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Caring and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Caring and Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Social services news | Scoop.it
Lanarkshire Carers works with and for carers to develop and deliver services that make a positive difference to the lives of carers in Lanarkshire...
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Concerns of social care workers arising from COVID-19 pandemic

Concerns of social care workers arising from COVID-19 pandemic | Social services news | Scoop.it
New research from Keele University has highlighted the key challenges that workers in the social care sector faced during the first wave of COVID-19.
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Disappointed and dispirited: the experiences of diaspora social workers in Britain today

Disappointed and dispirited: the experiences of diaspora social workers in Britain today | Social services news | Scoop.it
Professional Social Work magazine, 16 August, 2021 Social workers from overseas continue to face challenges to successfully establishing a career in the UK - a combination of bureaucracy and racism, according to the Diaspora Working Group of the BASW International Committee.  PRIYA REBECCA DAVID was recruited by a UK agency from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) nearly two decades ago. She tells her story … I was working as a school social worker in the UAE when my CV was picked up from one of the local authority applications I had completed. It was a fairytale at first, from the initial email to the telephone interview, to being flown to the UK for a full day recruitment process, to being offered a job the very next day. But the reality of moving to a completely foreign country and a new way of working soon hit me like a tsunami. I realised social work in Britain was different to what I knew and practised in UAE and India. Statutory work requires that social workers are offered qualitative training and induction to ensure their practice is safe. However, my experience - and that of many other diaspora social workers - involved being thrown into an overstretched social care team, where all that mattered was having another pair of hands to share the burden of hugely burnt-out social workers and managers. Management had little or no time to empathise with the struggles of a newly-recruited overseas social worker. I did not have a clue about the area, how to get to different places, the road signs, housing, needing a utility bill to start a bank account, applying for an NI number, TV licensing… Not having any family and friends to speak to at the end of a difficult day made it tough. I had to find creative ways of quickly learning in practice: not feeling shy to ask, reading the work of other colleagues, and volunteering to shadow as much as possible. I enhanced my learning by tapping into training available within the authority. This gave me the much-needed time and space to reflect on my practice amid the firefighting. Looking back, I believe it was purely divine protection that helped me make quick and safe decisions on my feet. I was very conscious I would have little support if I made a mistake and so my attention to detail proved to be advantageous. A recent survey conducted by BASW International Committee highlighted an overrepresentation of diaspora social workers in disciplinary matters, I wonder if enough thought has been given to the possible reasons behind this? Poor induction has been reported by many overseas workers and one has to question who in reality should be held responsible. Racism and hostility The greatest struggle for me and many others is the undermining of our command of the English language. This is despite the fact most people report their education was in English - I have a Master’s degree in social work. There was little credit given to the skills I had from my international experience, and sadly I faced various subtle remarks that go against social work’s ethos of inclusivity and respect. My first year in the UK remains vivid and there are memories I choose to forget. I have had several moments of regret after becoming a manager myself: most of all, not being fully informed or, worse, misinformed when I started my career as a social worker in the UK. I query if those responsible for hiring understand fully their duty of care to newly recruited overseas social workers. I am unsure if they realise the power and fear managers hold over a worker who feels vulnerable in a new environment, and even worse when one’s immigration status is dependent on the line manager needing to confirm one has passed the probationary period. A common experience Two decades later, I am frustrated and saddened that many diaspora social workers continue to echo similar or worse experiences to me. Many encounter racism and differential treatment to their white colleagues or hit a glass ceiling when wanting to make progress. Just like me, many diaspora social workers come to the UK with high expectations of better prospects for themselves and their wider family. Many come with responsibilities to support their families back in their home country, leaving behind their spouse, children and parents. They come with the knowledge of social work in England being strictly regulated and have high expectations to learn and practice safely. They are aware that social work in the UK is underpinned by legislation and clear guiding principles of respect, equal opportunities, anti-discrimination and anti-oppressive practice. However, that expectation of equal treatment and opportunities is sadly not always met. In my work with diaspora social workers, I have repeatedly been told about the difficult experiences people continue to face. I reckon local authorities consider overseas workers as merely a short-term fix to staff shortages, primarily recruited to fill a gap. If so, they miss out on tapping into the strength, resilience and confidence diaspora social workers bring to the profession and an increasingly globalised UK community. It is disheartening that the caring and respecting element of social work seems to be lost within social work culture. I would like to think this is not intentional and could be put down to unconscious bias, but the personal and professional experiences of many social workers from black, Asian and East European countries has been one of bewilderment and despondency. Some even feel traumatised, and this impacts further on their confidence to challenge appropriately and progress in their careers. What is diaspora? When we use the term ‘diaspora’ it involves various groups and categories of people who: Trained and qualified abroad and are working or seeking work in the UK Moved to the UK to train or study in social work Trained and qualified in the UK but identify themselves as belonging to a diaspora community For those in the first group, the enthusiasm expressed during recruitment and reallocation quickly dies away as they land in their respective teams. Many go through a baptism of fire with minimal induction and poor support from managers. There is a clear disconnect between the recruiters and the employers. Recruitment agencies are quick to wash their hands of diaspora social workers after the first three months of hiring them. If they are lucky, such workers might be placed under a sensitive manager. However, most local authorities are so stretched, and expectations are so high that many managers fail to recognise the magnitude of the change these workers are faced with in their new environment. Paradoxical The second group - those who have moved to the UK to train under spouse or student visas - face an even harsher and at times paradoxical situation. Their struggle begins right from the registration stage where they are required to pay to get their overseas qualifications recognised. The current cost is £495. This is equivalent to five months salary in some countries. Many in this group state their applications are rejected several times. This experience clearly can be puzzling when the same authorities seem to actively recruit from these countries. Most diaspora social workers who are qualified abroad hold a Masters degree in their country of origin but end up starting as family support workers to gain some experience prior to being selected as a social worker. One qualified overseas social worker under a spouse visa told how she was offered a support worker role despite holding an MA in social work from India. She was told that she did not have the relevant experience for a social work appointment, yet when she tried to get a job through the ‘return to social work’ scheme she was told she was not eligible because she was overqualified! Many report similar disappointments and long waits, resulting in choosing other less qualified jobs. Finally, for the social workers who are trained and qualified in the UK but identify themselves as belonging to a diaspora community, they report experiencing covert and subtle discrimination, undermining of work, differential treatment, and comparisons with white colleagues. Many say there is little appreciation of the diversity of experience and expertise they bring to a team, and the cultural competence they add to the practice. Barriers to progress Ravi Baines (2020) writes in CMM Care Management Matters:"It’s a shocking but sad true fact that the care sector has a diversity problem. It’s not that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are underrepresented in the adult social care workforce – they make up 21 per cent of all jobs, which is more diverse than the overall population of England. However, this representation grinds to a halt when it comes to senior roles.” He goes on to reveal that, at the time of his research, out of 36 of the biggest care homes and home care providers providing information on their board members, only five per cent came from a minority background. Or, to put it another way, only 14 board members out of a total of 258 positions were from a black and Asian background. Most diaspora social workers are ambitious and hard workers and are keen to make progress. However, like me many report there is no proactive encouragement offered by managers to promote them to senior positions. I have had to work four times harder and prove my ability repeatedly to make every small move. Many report being overlooked, ignored, or not informed when promotion opportunities arise. It is a common experience that white colleagues who are less experienced get shortlisted and secure jobs with ease. There are others who state that they might be shortlisted, but the position is mostly given to a white colleague who again may be less experienced. This has created much unspoken frustration and a deep sense of unfairness. Many diaspora workers and academics have experienced their own students, predominantly white, moving up the ladder swiftly as they are actively supported by the management team to do so. Diaspora social workers unanimously echo that until there is a sense of fairness, inclusion and openness to the richness and diversity they bring to UK, the struggle to understand and meaningfully address the diverse needs of the increasingly mixed communities in the UK will continue. Pandemic pressures Chasma & Khonat (2020) inform us that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted this vast underrepresentation of the workforce at a higher level suggesting poor access to senior positions by this cohort. It is high time social work in the UK reflects its own underlying principles of equality and respect to all staff regardless of the country of origin. Priya is an improvement consultant, practice teacher and experienced service manager in children's services. She is a member of the BASW International Committee and co-chair of the Diaspora Social Workers Working Group. The Special Interest Working Group aims to address the numerous concerns experienced by diaspora social workers in UK. It is currently working on guidelines for the recruitment and induction of diaspora social workers. They hope to present the diaspora issues expressed in the survey at BASW’s AGM on 15 September.
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Hundreds of Fifers stuck in hospital as health bosses battle care at home crisis | Fife Today

Hundreds of Fifers stuck in hospital as health bosses battle care at home crisis | Fife Today | Social services news | Scoop.it
Hundreds of adults in Fife are waiting months to get appropriate care at home amid a growing national social care crisis.
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Health & Care - Story

Health & Care - Story | Social services news | Scoop.it
Three months on from being elected to Holyrood, Dr Sandesh Gulhane brings a unique perspective to Holyrood as a practising GP.The Conservative MSP says patient pathways are “broken” and have continued to deteriorate during...
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Improving home care with machine learning and behavioural analytics

Improving home care with machine learning and behavioural analytics | Social services news | Scoop.it
Nick Weston, CCO, Lilli explains how home care can be transformed for good when machine learning and behavioural analytics are applied.
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