GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

workers are getting the support, particularly in the complex cases, and I cannot

emphasise enough the nature of the work sometimes. We are dealing with

hardcore child protection and adult protection. So we want to be able to get that

supervision. We want to be able to manage our case loads. What is

happening now is that the manager is instructing the social worker to do the job

and the case load is going up and up. Like other unions in here, we want to do

professional development, but we have just not got the time or the resources or

local authorities have just cut the funding and particularly we want to reverse

the blame culture and give social workers the respect and positive support. So

if you have got an opportunity, highlight the good things about social work.

Today I have got some placards I would love to get some pictures with other

unions to support our working conditions campaign. I will not take up more of

your time, but thank you. (Applause)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, John. And to second?

BRO JAMES BIRCHALL (SWU): James Birchall, I am President of the Social

Workers Union and I am delighted to second that motion. I have been taking

the lead on a group that is visiting MPs. We have seen several MPs face to

face, I have seen a Government Minister, we have had a meeting with a

member of the House of Lords and we have seen the Chief Social Worker from

the Department of Health to discuss the serious problems in working conditions

for social workers. As a result of this, we have achieved a debate which was

led by Lord Roy Kennedy in the House of Lords and we are also hopeful that

we will get a full debate in the House of Commons, so I would ask you to

support this motion. Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: Would anybody like to speak on this motion? (No response)

Motion 11 was CARRIED unanimously

THE PRESIDENT: I think we are just going to have time for one more, so apologies

to Community and AEP, we will reschedule those two motions for tomorrow

morning, if that is all right, and I will hear the motion the final business of the

day from Voice. This is Motion 14, colleagues, Disability Hate Crime.

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