Evaluation of the Social Work Practices with Adults Pilots

This is a summary of the findings of the independent Evaluation of the Social Work Practice with Adults (SWPwA) pilots; an Evaluation that was undertaken 2011-14. SWPwAs can be defined as organisations independent of local authorities that are contracted to carry out functions that were previously the duty of local authorities in supporting community dwelling adults potentially or actually defined as in need of social care and support, especially in regards to assessment, care planning and reviews. The Evaluation collected data about the policy impetus that led to the creation of SWPwAs and presents a discussion about the policy announcements, debate and commentary on the pilots as they moved from idea to practice. There are commonalities but also differences between the Social Work Practices pilots with Adults and with the earlier Social Work Practices with Children pilots. Over time, the indicators of success as perceived by government changed and the lessons learned from SWPwA pilots should be seen as supporting the implementation of policy rather than providing evidence for policy formulation. The decision to pilot SWPwAs was made in 2010 and a series of steps followed - namely seeking volunteer local authorities to take part in the pilots as commissioners, deciding on the pilot remits and funding, drawing up contracts and making arrangements for staffing, the chosen areas of practice and methods of engaging with other local stakeholders. These are analysed in the full report.This is a summary of the findings of the independent Evaluation of the Social Work Practice with Adults (SWPwA) pilots; an Evaluation that was undertaken 2011-14. SWPwAs can be defined as organisations independent of local authorities that are contracted to carry out functions that were previously the duty of local authorities in supporting community dwelling adults potentially or actually defined as in need of social care and support, especially in regards to assessment, care planning and reviews. The Evaluation collected data about the policy impetus that led to the creation of SWPwAs and presents a discussion about the policy announcements, debate and commentary on the pilots as they moved from idea to practice. There are commonalities but also differences between the Social Work Practices pilots with Adults and with the earlier Social Work Practices with Children pilots. Over time, the indicators of success as perceived by government changed and the lessons learned from SWPwA pilots should be seen as supporting the implementation of policy rather than providing evidence for policy formulation. The decision to pilot SWPwAs was made in 2010 and a series of steps followed - namely seeking volunteer local authorities to take part in the pilots as commissioners, deciding on the pilot remits and funding, drawing up contracts and making arrangements for staffing, the chosen areas of practice and methods of engaging with other local stakeholders. These are analysed in the full report.