History – How and why ASWEB was formed The Association of Social Work Employment Businesses (ASWEB) was set up in April 2007 by a committed group of social work employment businesses as a vehicle to safeguard the professional development interests of their locum Social Workers (locums). The catalyst for the formation was the winding down of the Greater London Post Qualifying Consortium (GLPQ) who had arranged post qualifying training (PQ training) for qualified Social Workers in the London area. With no central body to organise training for the thousands of Locum Social Workers who required help, a decision was made to set up an association to address their needs.

 

The initial remit of the organisation was to maintain the impetus created by GLPQ and take forward the issue of PQ and Continuous Professional Development training (CPD) for locums. However, it quickly became evident to the members that there were other areas of common interest that could benefit from an organised approach, so it was agreed the remit of the organisation should be broadened to include these.   

 

The group felt that foremost amongst these was a vital need to tackle the pervading view amongst many employers that Social Workers can be recruited in a manner that takes little account of the unique skill sets and non-experiential learning they must demonstrate. Thus, rather than hiring managers being able to specify precisely the type of practitioner they need, to work with a specific client group, recruitment is often reduced to finding the quickest, and often cheapest applicant. This method, is clearly detrimental to Social Workers as well as the service users they work with who make up some of the most vulnerable and damaged members of society. In particular it takes no account of service users special needs or specialist skills set that may be required of a Social Worker to meet these needs effectively.

 

Our values – Qualified Social Workers must be treated with respect Fundamental to ASWEB members is the recognition that Social Work is a high status profession and that Social Workers make decisions on a daily basis that affect the lives of thousands of vulnerable people. We recognise that Social Workers need to be treated by all parties in a manner that recognises this. As employment businesses constantly working with qualified Social Workers we are well placed to ensure that this happens. Central to our values and objectives therefore is the recognition that to do their job effectively Social Workers need continuous support and training from employers, partner agencies, as well as employment businesses.

 

The Future – ensuring that all employers act on the fact that qualified locum Social Workers must be supported in placement to enhance their practice The members of ASWEB have now committed themselves to the association’s values and objectives. The board has a remit to ensure that all organisations with whom ASWEB and its members conduct business, understand the importance of locum Social Workers and their needs when in placement. The challenge is to ensure that social workers are employed in a way that respects their professionalism and enhances the work that they undertake with their service users Asweb is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all it’s members to share this