bit of a spat………..
03-02-10
What on earth are BASW going on about? See article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/02/113711/basw-attacks-gscc-over-legal-representation-in-conduct-cases.htm
First, not everyone is a BASW member and second I know of several people who found the BASW Advice and Representation service to be very inadequate – to be fair I have read some case matters where BASW have represented social workers and they seem to have done a good job.
Third, let us not forget however that in the case of Lisa Arthurworrey where the Care Standards Tribunal (CST) was highly critical of BASW who the CST lambasted, and observed that Ms Arthurworrey won her CST case in spite of their (BASW) representation.
So BASW, do not forget that you sometimes get it wrong too.
Strangely I tend to agree with the GSCC on this – I must need a drink or something!
Lawyers (pro bono or not) may not necessarily have the specialist knowledge but they can do research – there are few lawyers who have such specialist knowledge, and in my experience some child care solicitors (for example) know a great deal about social work.
People in glass houses should not throw stones – BASW.
Also, BASW are somewhat “come lately” to the criticisms of the GSCC – the previous CEO thought that the regulator was too soft! What a twat! However, in fairness to Hilton Dawson (the current CEO) he is making a far better job of it. A reminder of one of his attacks (and there are several) on the GSCC you can read an older Community Care article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/26/112437/conduct-basw-lambasts-gscc-over-right-to-fair-hearing.htm
This was previously reported here on Regulator Watch.
Wilt