Examination of Witness (Question Numbers
40-41)
MOIRA GIBB
CBE
29 MARCH 2010
Q40 Chair: Annette Brooke, who has
just arrived, has been doing a very important job in a Statutory
Instrument Committee and was very upset that she couldn't be here
earlier. We are going to extend the session for a couple of minutes
so that she can catch her breath and then put something on the
record if she wants to do so. Anybody else?
Mr Timpson: Well, I can keep going.
Annette Brooke: I shall just listen.
Q41 Mr Timpson: Licence to practise—why?
Moira Gibb: The licence to practise,
which still has a lot of detail to be worked out, will do two
things. It will be more reassuring to the public about this being
a regulated profession, and will allow more nuancing around the
qualifications and experience that people need to do particular
jobs. We can develop that to ensure that people who have been
trained to do one thing don't end up being assumed to be qualified
to do something completely different. It is a work in progress
and an aspiration, rather than something we have worked out. It
was not top of the Reform Board's priorities such as the health
check, for example, and things that can make a difference now,
or getting discussions going between employers and educators.
We thought that that was more urgent.
Chair: As Annette is happy not to ask
a question, may I say, Moira Gibb, that you have been a fitting
last witness, as almost certainly there is not going to be another
meeting of the Committee? You've not only brought a bit of colour
to our proceedings, you've brought clarity of thought. We have
been most impressed by that, and I hope that our report, and yours,
and the good work you are doing will change some of the things
that we wanted to see changed as fast as possible in the area
of social work. Thank you very much for your attendance, and for
your three musketeers, or three minders. It has been a pleasure
having you here. Thank you.
|
