Let’s back our social workers
26 November 2009
Bethan with Keith Drury, BASW chair, and Hilton Dawson, its chief executive
BETHAN Jenkins AM is backing a new programme that aims to champion the good work of social workers in Wales.
The Plaid AM for South Wales West hosted the launch of The British Association of Social Workers’ Ambassador and Patron Scheme on Wednesday evening, November 25. It was used to demonstrate the good work that social workers are achieving, providing BASW members with extra support and advice, where experienced social workers can champion others and help them achieve their goals.
Ms Jenkins told the event in the Assembly’s Senedd building: “In recent years, the national media has reported on a number of high profile cases that involve children at risk, often highlighting negative aspects of social work. These cases are often shocking. Nonetheless, the BASW are motivated to implement this new programme after they become concerned that such negative reporting could be having an impact on the morale of social workers and the industry as a whole.”
She added: “There are many reasons why we should celebrate the work that social workers do. BASW has gone on the front foot because it believes – rightly – that too much focus is given to occasional, if terrible, mistakes, leading to an impression that the industry is poorly served. I wish them all the best with this laudable idea.”
