Background to the Research

• Prior to 1998 there had been no major study of ASW in NI, a consensus emerged amongst the Joint Management Group of the ASW Programme that research into the training and practice of ASW was necessary, funding was sought and obtained from the DHSSNI in 1998.
  

Research Approach

• An ASW questionnaire; a managers interview schedule and a service users/carers group interview schedule were applied to all existing ASWs (n=243 returned, 84% response rate); 11 managers representing each community health and social services trust; 4 groups of mental health service users and carers and 1 group of people with learning difficulties. The data were analysed using SPSS and thematic analysis of qualitative responses.
  

Main Findings

Profile of ASWs

• Both ASWs and trusts report high levels of overall satisfaction with the Programme. High ratings were recorded around teaching on key statutory functions; however there were some perceived weaknesses in other areas of the curriculum.
• Carers and users stated a strong desire to be involved in the training of ASWs.
• Some trusts and ASWs were concerned about the complexity of competencies and the over-emphasis on portfolio preparation in the ASWs training programme.
• A number of trusts and ASWs expressed concern about the need for good practice opportunities both during and following training.
• Some candidates reported that training could be a source of considerable stress, especially when normal caseloads had to be managed at the same time.
• Some concerns were raised by trusts and newly qualified ASWs about their readiness to practice.
• Attendance at refresher training was high and generally high levels of satisfaction reported. However, the structure, content and length of refresher training varies between trusts.
• There was inconsistency in the mechanism used by trusts for reapproval.

Management and Supervision

• Guidelines for the supervision of ASW practice were only applied in a minority of cases.
• Peer group support and attendance at support groups are seen as valuable resources by ASWs.

ASW Practice

• There are a significant number of ASW trained staff who do not practice their statutory functions.
• At times users and carers were critical of the out-of-hours service provided by the trusts and trusts were aware of these difficulties.
• Both carers and user groups expressed concern about the need for ASW practice to be monitored, however some did feel that ASWs provided a valuable service.
• ASWs and managers reported difficulties in inter-disciplinary relationships, particularly in liaison between ASWs, GPs, ambulance staff and the police.
• There was some variation in the range of quality for ASW practice being used by trusts.
• There was evidence that ASWs felt less competent in carrying out statutory duties in relation to the application for, renewal of, and discharge from, guardianship.
• The research showed that a small group of active ASWs account for a disproportionate number of applications for assessment, this small group were much less likely to accompany the patient to hospital and remain until s/he was medically examined.