Social Work Connections readership survey results
March 2010
We recently carried out a survey about Social Work Connections with you, our readers. We asked what you found interesting about the newsletter and what you would like us to focus on in the future.

Next steps for PRTL
March 2010
Every social worker registered with the GSCC needs to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date. That is why you have to establish - at the three-yearly renewal point - that you have done 90 hours of post registration training and learning (PRTL). That is a minimum requirement - indeed, most social workers report learning hours well in excess of 90 on their renewal form.

Involving people who use social work services
March 2010
Engagement with people who have experience of using social work services has been part of GSCC strategy since its creation in 2001. In 2005 we published Seen and Heard which emphasised the right of people who use services and carers to "influence, advise, direct and validate the GSCC's policies and services".

Public protection and conduct
March 2010
Assessing risk and taking steps to minimise it is something that social workers do every day. It can be a complex and difficult task. Social workers need to weigh up a wide range of factors before deciding on a course of action that is both proportionate and ensures the safety of service users and those around them.

NQSWs and career structures - what you told us
March 2010
Your responses to the poll in our December newsletter showed that a majority of you felt that the newly qualified social workers (NQSW) you had worked with lacked key skills when entering the workplace.

A social work student reflects on her placements
March 2010
In this issue of Social Work Connections we asked a recent graduate to reflect on the placements that she undertook as part of her social work degree.

Report launched into raising standards in social work education
March 2010
Earlier this month the GSCC published Raising Standards: Social work education in England 2008-2009, its annual report on the overall picture of social work education and training in England. The report shows that five years on from the introduction of the social work degree over 10,000 students have graduated. However, the report also reveals that only eight per cent of social workers are taking up post-qualifying (PQ) training courses, which once again raises concerns about opportunities employers provide for training and development of social workers.

Conduct hearings
March 2010
The following conduct hearings have concluded since the last edition of Social Work Connections.

Use MyGSCC to update your details and more
March 2010
We understand that when you are busy the last thing you want to do is spend your time on the phone updating your details or filling out lengthy forms.

GSCC annual conference − social work: a profession to be proud of
December 2009
More than 250 social workers, social work students and employers came together for this year’s successful GSCC annual conference. The title, ‘Social work: a profession to be proud of’, was reflected in the day’s speeches, especially in contributions from social workers.