• Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X
  • Youtube
  • Linkedin
  • Home
  • About IFSW
  • Journals
  • Join
  • Contact
  • Member login

International Federation of Social Workers

Global Online conference

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Linkedin

Translate:

International Federation of Social Workers

  • Social Work Action
    • What is Social Work?
    • Climate Justice Program
    • IFSW and Covid-19
    • The Global Agenda
    • World Social Work Day
  • Regions
    • IFSW Africa
    • IFSW Asia and Pacific
    • IFSW Europe
    • IFSW Latin America and Caribbean
    • IFSW North America
  • Commissions
    • Education Commission
    • Ethics Commission
    • Indigenous Commission
    • United Nations Commission
  • Publications
    • Policies
    • Journals
    • Books
    • End of Year Reports
    • Information Hub
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Archive: General Meeting 2024
      • Login / Account
      • Documentation
      • Online Participation
    • Archive: General Meeting 2022
      • Login / Account
      • Documentation
    • Archive: 2020 Conference
      • Welcome
      • Keynote Speakers
      • Login / Account
      • Programme
      • Global Agenda
      • Contact
  • Shop
  • (0)

Creating an effective and ethical environment for social work in child protection

Information Type: NewsTopic: Children

November 23, 2012

The government in England is proposing a radical change in the arrangements for coordinating the different agencies and professional groups involved in child protection.  A detailed report from an independent social work academic, Professor Eileen Munro (large file), argued that too much regulation and too many procedures are preventing social workers and other professionals from providing creative support to families.  The government in England has accepted this criticism and is proposing a major reduction in guidance and regulation, leaving more to local decisions and professional judgement.

This debate is echoed around the world.  Many social workers have argued that rigid procedures intended to minimise risk are in practice resulting in uncreative and unhelpful services for people in difficulty.  Many social work practitioners have criticised the tide of managerialism which has swept over the world in the past 20 years. This approach to organisations places a high value on collecting data as evidence of effectiveness.  Many say that managers have become more interested in what can be measured rather than what is important and effective.

In an article in the UK newspaper The Guardian, former IFSW President and child protection specialist David N Jones argues that it is right to free up social work practice from excessive regulation but that it is also essential to have a firm framework of rules about the way organisations work together if social workers and other professionals are to feel free and safe to be creative in their work with children and families.

The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development, being promoted by IFSW and our global partners, recognises the need for an effective and ethical environment for social work practice.  It also recognises the key role for social work in advocating for the protection of children and others who are at risk of violence and abuse.

Read the article here.

Read a commentary about the proposed changes here.

IFSW policy on ‘Effective and ethical working environments for social work: the responsibilities of employers of social workers’ can be read here.

The current guidance in England on managing child protection cases can be found here (large file).

Return to Information Hub

Keywords: child protection, Eileen Munro, risk, bureaucracyRegion: EuropeLanguage: English

Primary Sidebar

Key documents

  • Global Definition of Social Work
  • Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles 
  • The Role of Social Work in Social Protection Systems
  • The People’s Charter for a New-Eco Social World

Footer

Copyright © 2025 International Federation of Social Workers · Registered Address: Maiengässli 4, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland · Registered charity number: CHE-109.240.290

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
MENU
  • Home
  • General Meeting 2024
    • Login / Account
    • Documentation
    • Online Participation
  • About IFSW
    • Governance
    • Secretariat
    • What we do
    • Our members
    • Partners
    • General Meetings
    • Executive Meetings
    • Elections
    • Executive committee area
      • Meeting papers 2018
    • Archives
    • Member login
  • Join
  • What is Social Work?
    • Global Definition of Social Work
    • Meet Social Workers from around the world
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Find your region
    • IFSW Africa
    • IFSW Asia and Pacific
    • IFSW Europe
    • IFSW Latin America and Caribbean
    • IFSW North America
  • Commissions
    • Education Commission
    • Ethics Commission
    • Indigenous Commission
    • United Nations Commission
  • Information Hub
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Archive: 2020 Conference
      • Programme
      • Welcome
      • Keynote Speakers
      • Login / Account
      • Global Agenda
      • Contact
    • Archive: European DM 2020
      • Home
      • Login / Account
    • Archive: European DM 2021
  • Social Work Action
    • The Global Agenda
    • World Social Work Day
  • Shop
  • Contact