How has the professional capabilities framework changed social work education and practice in England?

Abstract

This is a discussion paper which considers the potential implications of the introduction of the Professional Capabilities Framework as part of social work reform in England. The paper compares and contrasts the 2002 degree with the Professional Capabilities Framework, which is one of the changes introduced by the Social Work Reform Board. The 2002 degree is argued to have contained a double curriculum, which reflected the existing tensions within contemporary social work. The Professional Capabilities Framework has replaced the double curriculum and installed a unified model of academic and professional requirements as part of the social work reform agenda. It remains to be seen whether (and if) the framework can transform practice as well as the degree. Ironically, the double curriculum may better mirror the contradictions of social work than the Professional Capabilities Framework and the existing reform process. The key message of this paper is that the Professional Capabilities Framework has changedthe social workcurriculum butit is unclear whether the framework and social work reform will change practice.