Dear All ,
Until recently I worked in the School of Health and Social Care at
the University of Reading and was very proud to be part of a team
which was recognised for the the way it involved service users in the
range of activities within the school, its high standard of teaching
and growing research capacity. Following a review, the University
has decided that teaching social work, nursing and counselling does
not fit within its overall strategy and it is therefore proposing to
close the school. The final decision will be made in March when
Senate meet - although the admission processes for next years intake
have already been stopped !!
This is a deeply troubling decision - not just for the students and
staff - but at a national level and for those who receive social
welfare services - thus my reason for posting to this list. In the
UK there is already a 12% shortage of social workers, this closure
will definitely exacerbate the situation as there are about 65 new
social workers a year qualifying from Reading, not to mention the
raft of post-qualifying courses offered. The newspapers are full of
coverage about the failings of social services, the lack of staff and
inadequate training. The decision from the University is apparently
based on the schools poor research capacity (despite the RAE result
of 2.5), and its financial viability (yet the school operates within
a profit) because it is the smallest school in the University.
This is utter madness and is only going to increase the risks that
children and vulnerable adults face everyday through a lack of social
workers. The staff and students at the University are determined to
fight this recommendation and are seeking support from service users,
other professionals, politicians and anyone else who wants to
help. I am asking that you consider signing the online petition
which the students have set up, this will show your support for the
continued training of social workers at Reading. Just click on the
link to have a look and then decide for yourself - if you want to ask
me any questions about this please do email me directly.
I hope you don't mind me using this list for this purpose - it just
seems a cause that will resonate with some of you.
Dr Ali Cocks
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=66536145238&h=we_tw&u=Dcgi9
after you sign there is a request for money from the online petition
company - you do not have to give money....I didn't and my signature
is still there!!!
This links to an article in tonights' Reading Evening Post which you
may find informative:
http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2044841_univerity_school_for_social_workers_set_to_close
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