The Association of Social Work Employment Businesses (ASWEB) is due to meet vendor managed services provider (VMSP)  Matrix Supply Chain Management this week to discuss raising standards in social work recruitment.

Andrew Thorne, chairman of trade body ASWEB, told Recruiter that the purpose of the meeting, to be held on Wednesday, was to work with Matrix towards improving the VMSP’s  model. 

One ASWEB proposal is “to establish a tier of  quality assured social work agencies”, says Thorne.

Another is to allow more  communication between agencies and hiring managers in local authorities, while taking into account the need to avoid clients being inundated with calls.

Julian Young, chief executive of Matrix, confirmed that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss standards, and to consider  how Matrix can fit in with ASWEB’s philosophy.

He says some of the issues to be discussed are quality assurance, candidate registration and check list criteria.