RSS web feeds 
Share 
Print 
Email 
Save Social work practice pilots (SWPs)
Improving outcomes for children in care is a consistent theme in the Government's policies and strategies, and a priority of the Children's Plan and of Care Matters: Time to deliver for children in care. As part of this agenda, the DCSF is piloting ways of improving social work services.
What will SWPs do?
DCSF announced six Social Work Practice pilots in December 2008 as part of the Children’s Workforce Strategy. The pilots will go live in autumn 2009.
They will test whether independent, social worker led organisations can deliver better outcomes for children, effective and innovative ways of working and increased job satisfaction for social workers.
Where will they be based?
Social Work Practices will be piloted between 2009 and 2013 in the following local authorities; Blackburn with Darwen, Hillingdon, Kent, Liverpool, Sandwell and Staffordshire. For more information, see Social work practices: Guide for proposals and Piloting social work practice model.
What will SWPs look like?
Social Work Practices will be social worker-led organisations that are commissioned by, but independent of, the local authority, and provide the social work services for an agreed group of children. They will discharge the statutory duties and responsibilities of the local authority in relation to these children.
How will they be evaluated?
The Government is committed to piloting the Social Work Practice models for up to five years from Royal Assent. Between 2009 and 2011 there will be comprehensive and robust evaluation of the SWP model, which will focus on the impact of the pilots on three levels:
- on individual children/young people
- on social work professionals
- on the organisations within the children’s services system.
Associated documents
Care Matters: Time to deliver
(1.0Kb)
Download the contents of this page:
as a Word Document
Last updated on 05/08/2009
