XN000022-1980-07-13 — Page 15

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gested to me that the test of any profession's maturity

lies in its discipline and organisation and the manner in which it exercises its powers. I have been told that many, erhaps most social workers are mature, responsible people who work quietly behind the scene to better the lot of the

poor, the disabled, the elderly, to name but a few: ..nd that on the other hand there are some who are young, vocal, inexperienced and idealistic, impatient for change and

oblivious of constraints.

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I confess that I for one am not happy with or prepared

to accept this sorting of the sheep and goats, Idealism it is true is often to be found among younger people: there

is certainly nothing wrong in that what is unfortunate is

that all too often idealism disappears with age: and what we

should be concerned with - and I hope your Symposium will

consider this xxixxkangingx@AxkaXEREŃEXİdRXİİSex Madam Chairman

is hanging on to one's enthusiasm, keeping in fact one's

idealism. Surely there had to be, at one time or another,

substantial idealism in all of us who have become social

workers: and that must be a good thing. I accept that it is the responsibility of every organisation's management to

direct their staff's energies into constructive and productive

channels. And I accept too that at a higher level, professional

associations can do much to improve standards of practices,

to encourage a code of ethics and to enhance the status of

the social work profession in the community.

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