Spot on Chucklesister!!

You can always tell that by the sheer flow of waffle that comes out, they need to come out to the real world, see and deal with the people it most affects, its just names (if your lucky) or I.D numbers to a panel. I meet brilliant SW’s who will fight tooth and nail but also those hell bent on saving a penny if they can just so they can collect a few brownie points from their senior managers.
They are the ones, in my experience have been refused entry to a persons home based on a cold heart and abrasive manner, if you don’t care then don’t take on the role, thank god they are in the minority.

I agree with you regarding the variations in the quality of assessments and degrees of generosity. However these are issues that a good management team should manage through regular supervision. A panel where every single proposed package of care is scrutinised has got a purely “make savings” purpose.

That’s true if the assessment is written to a high standard demonstrating the needs of a individual, panel have no choice but too agree. I work as a social worker I never have issues with funding, I make sure all options are included the advantages the risks and why funding is required. If social workers are not giving reasons why funding is required or including risks panel can only go by what the assessment has included key factors may be missing

Hmmm..senior manager Peter by any chance?

I think this seems to be common practice elsewhere, but the social workers I work with don’t have to present a case to the manager at a funding panel, they just submit an application to the board for processing. Any necessary case discussion and proportionality to care and support planning should have already happened. But again, I have to reiterate that quality assurance is necessary, as often social work staff don’t always follow process or complete the necessary paperwork, especially when they are rushing, even the really good ones.

Well said and completely agree. It should be mandatory that a truly independent person is present during weekly panels. That would shake things up. In the northwest authority that I am employed in it would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious. At what point do we as Social Workers stop being used as tools to implement the austerity agenda and stop colluding with senior managers to oppress and deny the most vulnerable members of our society the most basic of services. We have no one to challenge this culture which now seems to be mainstream and where I work if you challenge senior management then believe me you will regret it and life will be made unbearable for you if you do not toe the line. Surely this article can not be a revelation to any frontline social worker working in adult services?

Really Daniel? People’s needs come first? Said like a true out of touch senior manager!!!

Peter, that is absolute rubbish and an insult to anybody that has ever suffered from the cost driven decision culture at the core of how these panels operate!