Exploring the Context of Fitness to Practise Concerns About Social Workers in England: Explanations Beyond Individuals

Gallagher, Ann; Banks, Sarah; Jago, Robert; Zasada, Magdalena; Austin, Zubin; van der Gaag, Anna

Abstract

Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) as compared with the other health care professionals regulated by HCPC. This paper discusses findings from interviews and focus groups that formed part of a mixed methods study that aimed to find out the reasons for complaints and the strategies that may reduce complaints. Four themes were identified: social work as an evolving profession; social work involves challenging practice; social work takes place in a pressurised environment; and public perceptions and expectations of social work are often negative and unrealistic. Findings highlight explanations that focus on organisational culture and public responses to social workers’ control functions. We argue that, at a time of change for the profession, there is a need for public education regarding the role and function of social workers and for regulators to have more proactive engagement with registrants and employers.

Citation

Gallagher, A., Banks, S., Jago, R., Zasada, M., Austin, Z., & van der Gaag, A. (2020). Exploring the Context of Fitness to Practise Concerns About Social Workers in England: Explanations Beyond Individuals. Ethics and Social Welfare, 14(2), 187-203. https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2019.1707846

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 11, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jan 15, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Jan 23, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 15, 2021
• Journal: Ethics and Social Welfare
• Print ISSN: 1749-6535
• Electronic ISSN: 1749-6543
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 187-203
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2019.1707846
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1278233