‘Fit and proper’ and fieldwork: A dilemma for social work educators?

Abstract

This article will focus on the four major issues that we have identified relating to ‘fit and proper’ policies and fieldwork. The first is the different levels of information that are held and shared by different entities. The second is the potential for such policies to directly contradict the principles of social work, and in particular social justice. Thirdly, it looks at the implications of being in a ‘contracting’ environment, and fourthly the position that social work educators are placed in as the ‘expert’ assessors of risk. Finally, we present some ideas that we hope will instigate a discussion amongst our profession and stakeholders. Throughout the article vignettes show practical applications of the issues that the article raises. While the vignettes are directly based on experiences that we have had while coordinating fieldwork, they do not correspond to specific cases.