In order to produce a short and pithy report this year - by popular request - I have just re-read last year's - and feel I could in fact simply refer you all to pp X and Y, paras Zzzz. But perhaps not. So, focussing the training provision of BBS we have:» upgraded the content and handouts of the 2 days bereavement counselling training
courses» updated the training for long term volunteers and provided specialist workshops in
Music, Art, Drama, Play, Phototherapy etc.» moved up our short course - 1 day, ½ day even 90 minutes (shades of the reduced
Shakespeare Company - the complete works of William Worden - abridged)» planned and provided eight two day seminars for teachers and school welfare officers
» trained, in tandem with Middlesex University, a postgraduate Student Social Worker in
the first year placement for the Diploma in Social Work - perhaps our best yet.» continued to work hard on NVQ 3 accreditation in Care and Counselling. This is more
difficult than I had envisaged but will be equally rewarding when we can offer it as an option
to attendees. Running alongside all these plans have been two important "shadows" -1) the
eventual demise of the Central Council for Education and training in Social Work
(CCETSW) with offer of accreditation by the Institute of Learning and Teaching (ILT) and
the setting of national occupational standard to practice by the Training Organisation for
the Personal Social Services (TOPSS). Fortunately my membership of BASW and the
National Organisation for Practice Teaching mean that I can keep up with these changes as
they occur -2) on a personal level, my sudden scary and serious ill health in the autumn,
repeated twice more in spring, which inevitably curtailed plans, hopes even holidays (really
bad news)We are most grateful to the following for giving us their time, wisdom and support - Rohini Barnes, Linda Cundy, Robert Dighton, Doug Hiza, Jim Kuykendall, Ben Saul, Jacqui Selby-MacLeod and Katrina Voysey and "heartfelt" thanks to you all and extra especially to Paulo, Carole, Raksha and Susie.
VALERIE WISE C.Q.S.W.
CCETSW Accredited Trainer