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Social
Work Speaks Abstracts
Deprofessionalization and Reclassification
Perhaps one of
the most troubling realities for the social work profession in
recent decades has been the weakening of professional education
and credentialing among people called on to perform the duties
of a social worker. The trend is a result of downsizing, devolution
of government from social responsibility, cost containment through
managed care, and competition with allied professions for direct
services, as well as supervisory and administrative positions.
In addition, as agencies face an insufficient supply of potential
employees with BSWs or MSWs and a lack of interest of these individuals
in working for public agencies, these agencies are emphasizing
on-the-job training. Meanwhile, state employee unions have emphasized
promotion based on experience rather than supporting professional
education.
NASW opposes
deprofessionalization and reclassification of social work positions,
because these practices jeopardize the quality of social services.
In advocating this policy position, NASW has achieved some important
milestones toward reversing the trend of deprofessionalization
and reclassificiation. These achievements include the inclusion
of social workers as allowable payees under Medicare Part B, the
establishment of standards for social services staffing in nursing
facilities, and the creation of the National Center for Social
Policy and Practice. Still, more must be done to improve the quality
of social services by recognizing social work as a distinct profession
uniquely qualified to provide leadership and services to address
some of the most critical and seemingly intransigent individual,
community, and societal problems of our day.
NASW encourages
all public and private employers to provide non–social work employees
access to an undergraduate or graduate social work education. Furthermore,
NASW encourages schools of social work to offer curriculum content
and field instruction relevant to practice, including practice
in child welfare, child and adult protective services, and adoption
and income maintenance programs.
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