Poll claims new social workers lack key skills

Tue, 23 Feb 2010

The social care sector lacks newly qualified social workers with the ability to adequately risk assess, according to a poll from the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

The research shows that 93% of the social workers surveyed say that newly qualified social workers (NQSW) lack key skills when they enter the workplace.

Almost half of respondents said more training was needed in ‘risk analysis’, while respondents also recommened training in experience of working with different groups of service users and communication skills.

GSCC chair Rosie Varley says: “The findings of this poll reinforce the recommendations made by the Social Work Task Force, not least the assessed year in employment which is already a well established practice in other professions. The creation of an assessed and supported year in employment is key in building a confident and experienced workforce.”