Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Page 27

The Role of Social Work in Modern Social Care Models

Duty of Care
There is a critical skill required in knowing when and how to intervene in
somebody’s life, taking into account the requirements of self-determination,
public protection and the duty of care. Tragedy is often preventable when
systems work and practitioners are properly trained, supervised, and skilled in
observation and theory, as social workers are, and properly supported by their
employers and the systems within which they work. A good assessor sets out
to create a complete picture of someone’s situation, strengths, capabilities
and aspirations despite their age and condition. Social workers are trained
and recruited on the basis that they have the cognitive and emotional depth to
grasp people’s care and support needs and networks through the assessment
process. They will want to ascertain the individual’s desire and the way in
which the person wants to achieve it, as well as the risk factors involved and
the possible measures to manage them.

How to support independent living
The challenge remains as to how to help people who could live independently
with the right support. One way is to have more agencies in the communities
to take an “asset-based” approach to assessment that rests on a deep
knowledge of the strengths of the individual, the family and the community.
Communities can play an important role in befriending, keeping-a-lookout
and complementing the work of home care services. What is underestimated
is the role of neighbours and communities in easing loneliness for older
people. Social work is not just about assessment, or putting in a care plan
or putting in equipment or focusing on interpersonal support. It is more
complex and looks at the inclusion of older people in community solutions.
The challenge for social work is to promote active and inclusive communities,
and to empower people to make their own decisions about their care. Can
social work harness the networks in communities as part of the care plan to
enable people to live with assisted support?
Social work with adults, carers and families is about supporting people to live

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