Thread by @JoeEHanley

An NAAS Thread: In the likely event the National Assessment and Accreditation System (NAAS) rears its ugly head through the #carereview, a reminder of some of the many issues. The NAAS has been such a trainwreck I have likely missed some so please add more @carereviewwatch 1/14

First the obvious points to make. It adds more work to already overworked social workers. There is no evidence that it improves practice in any way. At a time of scare resources it is outrageously expensive. Regardless of how often they repeat it, it is a test, not CPD! 2/14

It is not supported by social workers, with only 10% of BASW supporting it, and being subject to a Social Work Union Boycott. ADCS, JSWEC and others also raised serious concerns. basw.co.uk/media/news/201… 3/14

Roll-out has mostly halted due to the pandemic, but in March 2020 it was reported that only 1,600 social workers in England had undertaken it, meaning a cost of £15,000 per person (£24 million total). communitycare.co.uk/2020/03/20/160… 4/14

The low take-up by social workers (missing basically all targets) has meant that councils have had to pay incentives of up to £1000 to encourage social workers to undertake the NAAS. communitycare.co.uk/2019/05/23/ear… 5/14

Even with these incentives, a 2020 study found that only 43% of those who had undertaken the NAAS were frontline social workers, with the majority being team managers, service managers, directors etc. gov.uk/government/pub… 6/14

The contracts involved have mostly gone to private firms like KPMG, Deloitte and Mott MacDonald, ethically suspect organisations (google them plus the word “scandal” and take your pick). The idea of funnelling money into them instead of services is scandalous 7/14

A large contract also went to Morning Lane, Isabelle Trowler's former firm, who has been investigated for conflicts of interest related to this firm. (Note, Trowler has remained a vocal advocate for NAAS and is heavily involved in the #carereivew). civilserviceworld.com/professions/ar… 8/14

On that note there is a new £9 million contract that was supposed to start in April 2021 that, in line with this governments track record, has yet to announce its winner. Hope there is no coordination with the “independent” review afoot. @dianegalpin bidstats.uk/tenders/2020/W… 9/14

Only 22%-36% of those who did do the NAAS (3 different groups) found it helped their ability as a social worker. There is also very limited feedback for those who have passed, and limited post-assessment support: “back to practice as usual”. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl… 10/14

The pilot study found that white social workers scored better than other ethnicities in the NAAS, suggesting bias in the testing system – and yet it rolls on!
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl… 11/14

This freedom of information request seems to suggest that Care Review Chair Josh MacAlister was directly involved in the development of the NAAS (invited by the Children’s Minister) His blueprint has also called for social workers to be “accredited” whatdotheyknow.com/request/299390… 12/14

As well as MacAlister and Trowler, Rashida Baig, who (in her words) had an “active” role in planning the NAAS is also involved in the care review, as part of its Design Group. socialworkers.blog.gov.uk/2020/11/02/cov… 13/14

Some good (open) resources to read more on this:
sw2020covid19.group.shef.ac.uk/2020/04/08/is-… - from @simoncardy

journals.whitingbirch.net/index.php/SWSS… from @janetunstill

Please suggest more. 14/14