We are very conscious that this is a time of considerable uncertainty in social work. Each day the media presents messages of looming cuts to services at a time when the existing services are feeling stretched to the limit. We feel this pain in our daily contact with Social Workers and are committed to steering a steady course through all the hype where those who wish to work flexibly as locums preserve their right to do so. We retain the belief that this is still a very effective way to deliver a social work service. This month there is a mix of news about our exciting merger with Amicus; some really good learning opportunities and a couple of "feel good" stories. If you have any news or views that you would like to share with colleagues and friends in the profession, please email me.
As a registered locum you receive these newsletters each month with job vacancies, training opportunities, special events and the latest developments in the social work profession. If you would prefer us to send it to a different email address just let us know by emailing us. |
| SocialWork 2000 join together with Amicus Recruit |
|
This is probably the biggest piece of news that I have been able to share since we first started producing our newsletters. All our current placed locums and clients have been written to already so it is a delight to really push this out into the public domain.
For several years I have had the ambition of taking SocialWork 2000 up to a larger platform. Amicus Recruit were formed in the same year as ourselves and have been involved with ASWEB – the Association of Employment Businesses - since its foundation. They are based in Battle nr Hastings, and expound the same values and principles as ourselves. They are led by their Director, Ben Arnold , who has become a close friend. We have decided to join forces by merging the two companies. SocialWork 2000 and Amicus Recruit will retain their strong individual identities but operate within a new holding company structure. The name of the holding company will be 3d Recruit.
For our social workers there will be no change in the way that we operate on a day to day basis, but we do believe that our decision will increase the range of work and training opportunities available across a larger geographical area. In the current market we feel that this is timely. For our clients we believe we can bring greater choices in the recruitment of social workers.
All of this can be achieved without losing our commitment to a friendly service where everyone feels individually valued and involved.
SocialWork 2000 were formed 10 years ago. During the years we have developed a reputation for delivering a very high quality recruitment service to temporary social workers with an emphasis on their personal welfare and professional development. This has been matched with a total commitment to safer recruitment, which is evidenced by the highest standards of vetting. In addition to quantifiable checks we have also developed a highly experienced team of recruiters who interview locums face to face and engage them in personal interviews which probe their motivations. We constantly aim to better all our processes through regular review.
Throughout the 10 years the marketplace for agency social workers has received considerable media attention. This has not always been favourable and it has long been our ambition to redress the negative views. Our view is that agency social workers can provide an extremely valuable solution in the provision of social work services. In 2007 we became founder members of ASWEB. This organisation exists to raise standards in social work recruitment and is able to evidence the quality of its members through a rigorous independent audit.
It is with great pride that I am able to make this announcement and I very much look forward to sharing more news as we move forward together.
|
| Sam's September Wedding |
|
 The spirits in SocialWork 2000 were lifted in September when Sam from our Finance Team at High Wycombe was married to Will Cartwright. We are all now getting used to her new name Sam Cartwright. The bride looked stunning and she has found a delightful partner in Will to share her life with. Several of the team joined in the celebrations following the wedding in Winslow as they danced into the night with some classic live sixties sounds ! We would all like to wish Sam and Will well for the future.
|
| Court Skills Training |
|
On Saturday 18th and Saturday 25th September, SocialWork 2000 and Drive Network hosted a training course on Court Skills for Children's Services at the Milton Keynes office.
Gillian Geddes, Family Law Barrister with Barrister Web, and Tony Symes, an independent Magistrate, facilitated the training across the two days.
On day one, trainees learned more about court skills; looking at witness statements, social work chronologies, threshold documents, various parts of the Children's Act 1989, and a variety of assessments and care plans. Consideration was then given to these court processes under the 'old' protocol and under the 'new' Public Law Outline.
On day two, trainees were asked to apply the skills they learned on day one to a practise case. This involved working on a case summary by considering, alongside Gillian, the challenges this particular family face and the evidence which will be necessary for a forthcoming child protection hearing. They were also asked to work on the preparation of documents for the hearing.
During the afternoon, Tony Symes (Magistrate) joined the training session and all the trainees took part in a 'mock' hearing. This provided trainees with a chance to experience what it will be like to present oral evidence in court.
Feedback was positive and comments received include:
"The trainer was approachable and knowledgeable in her subject"
"Very interesting and stimulating"
"Learned to stay calm and belief in yourself during court process"
"Mock court was a great experience"
"It was nice to know that your answer is to be directed at the chair/bench"
"I would recommend this to my colleague brilliant experience."
We look forward to the next training session in November.
|
| Best Interest Assessor |
|
At SocialWork 2000, we understand how important it is for you have access to social work training in order to develop your career and also to meet post–registration Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
To make this possible, we work in partnership with other organisations to provide training opportunities and encourage all locums to take advantage of these courses wherever possible. As part of our post–qualifying programme the Best Interest Assessor Unit will be running early next year in partnership with Bournemouth University. Click here for further information.
|
| Understanding Dementia Training - 6th Nov 2010 |
|
 Just a reminder that the next of our popular training events is coming up soon.
Understanding Dementia with Duncan Manson
Saturday 6th November 2010, Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes
Aims and Objectives:
A number of recent enquiries have highlighted widespread shortcomings both in the understanding
of dementia and in the standard of care delivered to people with the condition, whose needs are
complex.
The course looks to provide an holistic model for assessing these needs and for delivering a high
standard of person centred care.
Please email Shelli to receive further details and book your place.
|
| Action for Alzheimer's |
 On Sunday 5th September MK recruitment adviser Vicki, along with two close friends, took part in the Bristol Half Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Vicki says of her achievement:
It was forecast to be a warm sunny morning, so we were delighted to wake up to a drizzly and somewhat cooler morning – having had concerns about running in the heat!!
Walking down to the start, we were suitably nervous, but excited at the prospect of running our first half marathon. The preceding months had been jam packed with training runs and an obsession with food to ensure all would go as planned on the big day.
It was a slow and cramped walk to the starting line, but we were soon able to start out at a reasonable pace for the first few miles. The route was a challenge of the mind, as well as the body, as the first part took us away from the city along the side of the river, and then looped back down towards the harbour, for what would be the start of aching body parts! The marshals were a real source of encouragement as were many of the other runners; this really helped as our hip flexors started to make their feelings known to us!
At mile 9, with a quick slow down to collect an energy drink, we commented on our respective aches and pains, but with a brief look at the time, we knew we only had another 40 or so minutes to go. Looking for the 10-mile marker however seemed to be an endless search!
Before the race, I had sworn never to do it again, and if you had asked me at mile 12 if I would be likely to run another half marathon I would have sworn again! Nevertheless, with the 13 mile marker in sight and the crowd cheering us on, we were able to gather up some miraculous energy for a sprint toward the finish - with hands clasped and raised jubilantly together. We completed the race in a respectable 2 hours 27 minutes and 46 seconds.
We had decided to raise money for our chosen charity as all three of us have family members who are suffering from the disease. To date, we are pleased to announce that we have raised in excess of £1,000, thanks to all the kind support offered to us from family and friends.
So, will I do it again…..yes, I will. I seem to have caught the running bug. I have even joined a local running club and am due to run a 10K race on the 2nd October.
To anyone who has never run before, I would say ‘give it a go - you don’t know what you can achieve until you try!
Vicki
|
|
|
|
| Latest Vacancies |
|
|
|
Tooting
Wandsworth
For further information simply click above or call us on 01494 555 220.
|
|
|
