Half-century is an opportunity to hail social work's role in society's changes

A decade of austerity has heaped pressure on the profession, but it’s important to celebrate its achievements

Amid the concentration this year on Brexit and coronavirus, and with a focus on the NHS and its 72nd anniversary, another significant anniversary is passing by with little recognition. It is 50 years since a unified profession of social work was established across the United Kingdom, and 50 years since the creation of integrated local authority personal social services in England and Wales.

Before 1970 there were eight separate membership organisations for different specialist social workers, including child care officers, mental welfare officers and what were called moral welfare officers. There were also separate council children’s, welfare and mental health departments, with psychiatric and medical social workers employed by the NHS.

Related: Online event: what's it like to be a social worker in 2020?

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Ray Jones is emeritus professor of social work at Kingston University and a social worker who was a director of social services for 14 years. His new book A History of the Personal Social Services in England is published by Palgrave Macmillan

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from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Ca35L8