DMH 153 The Approved Social Work Interest
Group.
Memorandum from The Approved Social
Work Interest Group. (ASWIG)
The Approved Social Work Interest Group (ASWIG) was
formed by Approved Social Workers in 1993. ASWIG is an independent
professional group of Approved social workers, trainers, researchers,
lecturers and professionals who are interested in promoting ASW
practice. ASWIG covers the geographical area of the north west
of England and north Wales. ASWIG is an independent professional
group of social workers concerned with all aspects of the role
of the ASW under the terms of the Mental Health Act 1983 and other
relevant legislation. ASWIG is the largest organisation in the
UK representing the ASW's voice.
ASWIG aims to provide: -
- Peer group support for ASW's, trainee ASW's and
those people committed to developing the role of the ASW.
- Networking for the dissemination of information
and research, including national, regional and local initiatives
for wide debate amongst ASW's.
- Formulate a perspective on developments in mental
health policy from the viewpoint and social work perspective of
ASW's.
- Links with other organisations concerned with
mental disorder.
- Promote multi-disciplinary working.
- Promote the consideration of carers views in
the provision of services.
- Promote the consideration of users views in the
provision of services.
- Provide a channel through which ASW's can voice
their professional concerns.
- Provide professional advice to relevant organisations
on the role of the ASW.
- Promote anti-discriminatory practice.
The present ASW role is laid down in statute and makes a major
contribution to social care, admission, detention, appeals, discharge
processes and aftercare. The ASW's training combines social care
theories and practice with an underpinning theoretical knowledge
base of mental health, social policy, law and anti-discriminatory
practice.
The ASW's role is to investigate the service users social situation
and to identify, with others involved, the extent to which social
and environmental pressures have contributed to the service users
behaviour. To use professional skills to help resolve any social,
relationship, or environmental difficulties which have contributed
to the crises, and to mobilise community resources appropriately.
To know the legal requirements and to ensure they are complied
with. To perform their own opinion following interview with the
service user and others involved, as to whether compulsory admission
is necessary, having regard to alternative methods of resolving
the crises and of securing the necessary care or treatment. To
ensure care and treatment is offered in the least restrictive
conditions.
Under the Bills proposals the AMHP's role will not safeguard the
social care perspective presently provided by the ASW.
ASWIG have yet to see any explanation or justification for such
a major change in the ASW role.
The Bill removes many of the duties presently held by local authorities
but retains the appointment of the AMHP. With the modernisation
of mental health services and the transfer of social care staff
to NHS Trusts would the appointment, re-approval, training, continued
professional development and safeguards for social work within
mental health services, be better serviced by the Social Care
Inspectorate within the Health Care Commission?
ASWIG fails to see how by opening up the AMHP role to other professionals
will enhance the quality of the service offered to service users.
The Bill does not reflect the nature of the present ASW co-ordinators
function, the whole social dimension of the assessment and care
planning process has been dismissed and in the future the importance
of a recommendation from an independent professional presents
major difficulties in our view.
ASWIG draws the committee's attention to the excellent piece of
research conducted by Alan Quirk and colleagues, at the Royal
College of Psychiatrists' research unit, "Performing the
Act: A Qualitative Study of the Process of Mental Health Act Assessments".
Safeguards are needed to maintain a Social Work perspective to
the multi-disciplinary process of assessment and care planning,
this is to ensure that :-
The AMHP brings a separate professional perspective and model
of mental disorder.
The AMHP is trained to assess social factors, is experienced in
social care and community resources.
The AMHP is equipped to provide comprehensive risk assessments.
The AMHP is trained to explore the least restrictive alternatives
to hospital admission.
The AMHP is trained to manage the practical tasks involved in
the assessments and admissions to hospital.
A social Care system for training people to be competent under
mental health legislation already exists.
The AMHP needs to bring a social work knowledge base to the process
of assessment and care planning that balances the medical perspectives
of mental illness.
In our previous responses the majority
of organisations, public bodies and voluntary organisations all
stated the continued need for the ASW role to be maintained focusing
on the social care aspects rather than the medical and legal processes.
In conclusion ASWIG feels the social work and social care dimension
of the multi-disciplinary process could be compromised, marginalised
and possibly ignored in the future if there are no safeguards
to retain a social work component to this process. This would
be to the detriment of the people who use mental health services.
Robert McLean
Chair
Approved Social Work Interest Group
| 
