National e-Bulletin

9 July 2010

Dear [FirstName],

There is talk in the air of an imminent Federal election. Of course these matters are usually the subject of intense rumour around Canberra, but I want to let you know that we are framing our election strategy around the Mental Health (Better Access) issue, while continuing our work on our strategic priorities.

During the election campaign we will resource members to contact their local candidates and provide a template letter which you can amend and personalise. We will ask you to focus on the Better Access campaign, but of course you can add any other issues you may want to raise with your candidates.

There is plenty of other work going on inside the AASW, and I'd like to share the latest developments in the Better Access campaign as well as some of our other current work.

Mental Health Update - Consultation with Department of Health and Ageing

I can now provide you with links to the documents promised by the Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) that I mentioned last week following the consultation meeting with 35 of our members and 15 OTs. These documents are:

• AASW Presentation on members' CPE and professional skills
• AASW Member Fay Keegan’s presentation
• OT presentation
• Write up of the members’ discussion groups
• DOHA Overview presentation
• DOHA presentation on Better Access
• DOHA ATAPS presentation

Georgie Harman, the First Assistant Secretary responsible for this work, has also asked me to let you know that the Department has set up an email address for members to provide their views, case studies and articles, and any relevant surveys and research etc in relation to the Better Access initiative as well as suggestions on the design and implementation of flexible care packages under ATAPS. The dedicated email address is mentalhealth@health.gov.au. She asked me to let you know that they not be able to individually respond to all emails sent to this inbox, but hopes it is a useful channel for members to provide the Department with information should you wish to.

Over the past few days, we have also learnt that the Government commissioned review of the program failed to obtain any research with social workers or their clients involved in the Better Access program. I have told them this makes the decision to exclude us even more ludicrous. They are in the process of commissioning a new piece of research on Mental Health social workers and their clients. We don’t yet have all the details of the research but I encourage AMHSWs to take part and to start talking to some of your clients to ask them to take part as well. I will provide more details and contacts to AMHSWs as soon as we have them.

We have also been working with members to produce our own research on social workers in the Better Access program, and on the political campaign for the coming months. I will share more of those ideas with members shortly.

Just to reiterate, our policy remains:

• we want any decision about Better Access to be informed by the outcomes of the Review which reports at the end of this year;
• we will fight for social workers to remain part of Better Access while it exists (we have asked for the decision to be recinded);
• we expect to be treated equitably compared with other professions;
• we've also said that, whatever mental health policy the government wants to introduce, it must be client-centred, flexible, integrated and responsive to community needs.

In the meantime, it is still important that you continue any meetings you have arranged with MPs and your liaison with your local Divisions of General Practice.

Professor Pat McGorry's speach at the National Press Club

Some of you may know that Professor Pat McGorry, Australian of the Year, has strongly supported us in the Better Access campaign already. I thought you would also be interested to know that in his address at the National Press Club earlier this week he again went out of his way to mention the important role that social workers and OTs play as part of the mental health workforce. In part, he said: To build the next generation of workforce, we need to recruit from the gifted and the talented and to compete for them aggressively. I encourage Australians to actively consider a career in mental health – train to become a social worker, psychologist, occupational therapist, nurse or doctor.

Click here to read his address is full

Start of Consultation on Pathways

The AASW wants to hear your views on the Pathways proposal. This is the start of the consultation process which will shape the proposal.

The Pathways proposal is to establish a tiered membership that recognises, promotes and rewards all social work members attaining higher levels of expertise and qualifications.

It would mean the development of associate and full membership categories and would have strong links with the College of Australian Social Work and Continuing Professional Education (CPE).

To find out more click here. We have also set up a members' discussion forum on the proposal and you can access that via the information page here.

Social Inclusion Board public consultations in capital cities

The Australian Social Inclusion Board (the Board) is currently conducting research on cycles of disadvantage. As part of this research, the Board will be holding public consultations in each capital city. Consultations will be held in all capital cities, on the dates below.

HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE THAT PLACES AT ALL SESSIONS WILL BE LIMITED, AND REGISTRATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED ON A FIRST IN, BEST DRESSED BASIS.

Canberra: 22 July, 9am-12pm (RSVP by 15 July)
Sydney: 26 July, 9am-12pm (RSVP by 19 July)
Adelaide: 30 July, 9am-12pm (RSVP by 23 July)
Brisbane: 23 August, 2pm-5pm (RSVP by 16 August)
Darwin: 24 August, 10am-1pm (RSVP by 17 August)
Perth: 2 September, 9am-12pm (RSVP by 26 August)
Melbourne: 3 September, 1-4pm (RSVP by 27 August)
Hobart: 6 September, 10am-1pm (RSVP by 30 August)

To register your interest for any of the sessions, or if you have any queries, please send an email to Laura Backhouse at Laura.Backhouse@pmc.gov.au. Please mention your name and contact details and which session you wish to attend. PLACES ARE LIMITED, PLEASE REGISTER EARLY.

Click here for a brief introduction to this research. Click here for more general information on the Board.

Primary Healthcare Reform Summit 2010

21-22 October 2010 Hilton on the Park, Melbourne.

The AASW is sponsoring IIR's Primary Health Care Reform Summit and members get a 10% discount if you attend. The event will offer a platform for discussion and a chance to develop the features of some of the key aspects of the primary healthcare reform package. I am also speaking at the summit as a panelist and as your CEO.

The conference program has been specifically designed around the key elements of the national primary healthcare strategy and the feedback, requests and suggestions of key stakeholders from around the country. I will be speaking on a panel at the conference discussing Coordinating and Effectively Integrating Primary Health Services.

Click here for more information.
 

Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA)

I have been in Melbourne for a few days this week, mainly to attend the launch of Indigenous Allied Health Australia, a peak body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) professionals and students, including social workers.

I know that several of our ATSI members are also IAHA members, and it was great to meet up with some of them at the launch yesterday. I'd particularly like to acknowledge that Kylie Stothers is a IAHA Board member, and I encourage our ATSI members to join and get involved.

Non ATSI social workers can join IAHA as an associate. Find out more here.

On a personal note it was lovely to meet up with Patty (a long past student of mine) and be introduced to a number of our indigenous social work members.

Please note that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander working group is always keen to involve new members so please let me know if you are interested and I'll pass on your details to the group.

Vote for Kylie

Just a reminder that you can still vote for AASW members and Aboriginal woman Kylie Stothers in Cosmopolitan Magazine's Fun Fearless Female 2010 award and would like your vote.

Kylie sees the award as an opportunity to "give our Indigenous voice to the mainstream community". She is seeking support for her nomination, by voting online for her. If you would like to vote for Kylie click here  and click on the "Role Model" category for more info on Kylie.

Funding for rural and remote professional development

The Rural Health Continuing Education (RHCE) program, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Ageing, supports qualified health professionals living and working in rural and remote Australia to undertake continuing professional development activities, and AASW members are eligible to apply.

You will need to demonstrate that the course or training you want to undertake will benefit your professional development and meet the requirements of the AASW CPE policy. Applications are now open and close on August 20. Click here for more information on the grants available, and here for the AASW’s CPE page.

Research Reminder

Finally, Just a quick reminder that The University of Newcastle is asking our members to participate in a study of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the human services by completing an online survey.

The study is being conducted by social work researchers at the Research Institute for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle. They are seeking our members’ help in completing an online survey. The survey is similar to one which has previously been completed by other human service professionals such as General Practitioners and other allied health professionals. For more information click here.

It is likely that findings from the study will be of practical help to social workers and I encourage you to participate. To participate in the survey click here.

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ACWA 10 – Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies Conference 2010

2 – 4 August 2010, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour

The conference program for 2010 will be centred around the theme of Building a Child Friendly Australia: Responding to Vulnerable Families.

A combination of International Keynote Speakers, National Speakers, Panels and Concurrent Sessions will explore current children, youth and family support issues and services. Confirmed International Keynote Speakers include Robbie Gilligan (Ireland), Ian Sinclair (UK), Robyn Munford (NZ), Aron Shlonsky (Canada), Deborah Ghate (Ireland) and Marion Brandon (UK).

Visit www.acwa2010.com to register now! email acwa2010@arinex.com.au or phone the conference Managers on 02 9265 0700

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