Cut out the 'ologies' and 'isms', social workers told

THE BODY that oversees the education and training of social workers has been told to change its outlook in a stern warning from the Department of Health.

The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work has been accused of being stuck in a 1960s timewarp, and of overemphasising 'all the -isms and -ologies'.

A letter from Tim Yeo, the junior health minister, accuses the council of highlighting issues such as equal opportunities while not placing sufficient emphasis on meeting the needs of the new climate of the 1990s, brought about by government changes to health and social services.

The letter, described in Whitehall as 'fairly robust', is likely to strain the already rocky relations between the social work profession and the Government.

The council has argued for more vocational experience by extending the current two years of training to three years. That suggestion, backed by Lord Clyde's review of the Orkney child abuse affair, has been rejected by the Government on grounds of cost.

Ministers argue that an outdated attitude within the council deters higher-calibre recruits to the profession. With the council chairmanship due to become vacant in the autumn, a figure committed to a businesslike approach is likely to be appointed.

The Government believes that social services could prove one of the largest areas of responsibility in local government, as the role of local authorities in education and housing dwindles and they gain new community care powers.

Mr Yeo, a former director of the Spastics Society, wants greater liaison between social workers and the voluntary and private sectors - in day care and nursing home facilities, for example.

Last week he said: 'I believe that the council needs to move in a new direction, reflecting the role that social workers must play in the 1990s.'

Virginia Bottomley, Secretary of State for Health, has said she is concerned 'that the council is in some instances taking equal opportunity policies too far'. Last month the council said its views had been misrepresented.

It endorsed as policy a statement that 'the council will seek to ensure that in all its activity - as an employer, validating body and in its development work - individuals are not unfairly disadvantaged on the grounds of age, gender, disability, HIV status, language (including sign language), race, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation, social class or religion'.

It said that the council had a 'sensible and balanced approach' to the implementation of equal opportunity policies, which were agreed with government.