A draft statement describing the roles and tasks of social workers will be discussed tomorrow at the National Children and Adult Services Conference. Key stakeholders will be asked to comment. The document when finalised, will aim to show how social work at its best can contribute to improving care services.

Over the past year, the General Social Care Council (GSCC) has led a project working with Commission for Social Care Inspection, the Social Care Institute for Excellence, Skills for Care and the Children’s Workforce Development Council. The project was commissioned by government to help shape the modernisation of social care services for children and adults. The team has worked in consultation with a wide range of those involved in social care, including people who use services, to develop a clear vision of the purpose, value, and role of social work and the contribution it makes to transforming people’s lives.

The aim of this work is to improve the status of the sector, through helping to shape the future of social work education and training, informing recruitment campaigns and increasing the confidence of people using services and the public in what social work can offer.

Sir Rodney Brooke, Chair of the GSCC, said:

“We are developing a clear vision for the role of social work in the 21st century. At its best, working effectively with other professionals and listening to what people who use services want, social work plays a huge part in tackling some of the biggest challenges in our society - helping older people to maintain their dignity; improving the lives of vulnerable children; and supporting families to stay together.

“We are confident that the statement will be a useful contribution to the government’s strategy for social care, and help social work improve its status and skills.”