Social Work Action Network.

For those that don't know already, SWAN = Social Work Action Network.

Swan brings together social work practitioners, service users, students and academics in opposing cuts and privatisation of services, and I'm a member.

Alan Wheatley

On Tuesday, 1 September 2015, 22:20, Swan London <swanlondon@googlemail.com> wrote:

Dear SWAN London list members,

SWAN London has been on something of a break since the end of last year, but we are planning to launch two or three events this autumn and in the New Year. We will be in touch very soon. SWAN nationally, of course, has been extremely active and is making news in joining forces with other Social Work organisations (includingBASW) against the recent government attacks on social work (closure of College of Social Work, plans to criminalise and potentially imprison social workers, further privatisation of Children's Service) as part and parcel of its austerity programme and push for a residual welfare state. See the statement here:
https://www.basw.co.uk/news/article/?id=1000

SWAN is also making headlines in forcing Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children & Families in England and Wales, onto the backfoot in defending the award of £2m contract to private international consultancyKPMG and Morning Lane Associates (which she helped to found) in to develop a set of social work accreditation standards:
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2015/08/21/trowler-defends-2m-kpmg-contract-social-worker-accreditation/

Again SWAN asks, what are KPMG's social work credentials? You can listen to their corporate anthem for an idea of what they have in mind for social work values! 'A dream of power and energy' apparently...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCvKXgp-Awo

Good god.

In the meantime, SWAN London support and encourage list members to attend the forthcoming Children's March for Barnet Libraries demonstration on Saturday 12th September starting from East Finchley at 10:15. SWAN supporters will be well aware of easyCouncil, OneBarnet, Your Choice Barnet and other sorry tales of outsourcing council and social care services. Much like KPMG, Capita have been behind the destruction of local services, jobs and accountability. Please see an appeal from Barnet Unison below and flyer attached. We hope to see you there!

Solidarity to all

SWAN London