THE METAMORPHOSIS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SOCIAL WORK

Retaining Professionalism when all else is transient

.

Story So Far

• CJS Redesign;32 L.A. model• Integration Agenda • SPS SW SLA review• Centralised proceduralism• Critical Resource Shortages• More cuts after referendum

CJSW Forum

Forum engagement;• Consultation on redesign, engagement

with establishment• Consultation on E.M. (resources)• Child impact statements ( Children’s

Bill)• Home visits and CJSWR Guidance• Proceduralism/bureaucracy; and

practice displacement• Professional CPD

Tomorrow and beyond

• Disparate models for planning and cooperating in LA CJS’s

• Integration Agenda• Potential significant change to prison

SW• Managing resource crisis after

referendum• Reducing proceduralism & increasing

Professional SW casework/practice

Maintaining Professionalism

• Growing “vocationalism” (190k)• CPD on professional practice (not admin!)• Communicate/engage with wider

profession• Use opportunities to inform and

improve policy• Support issue-raising with solution

promotion

Maintaining Professionalism

• Need for a Qualified SW voice distinct from, but alongside “social care sector” voice.

• Use that voice to advocate SW solutions and help integrate them.

• Keeping the SW in CJSW; Time; Theory; individualised casework interventions.

• Share….

What would restore or increase your own professionalism in CJSW?

• What limits it, and what would free it?• How is your professionalism perceived

in your organisation, and how would you improve that?

• What would you need SASW or others to do at policy level?

• What does your professional confidence need?