Employers
We are leading a number of areas of reform, from helping universities select the right people at interview, to advising on the curriculum, to ensuring that social workers in practice receive the support they need to operate effectively. This page provides guidance on how these changes will affect employers.
Supporting you to excel as an employer
We have developed a range of membership services to support you in understanding and meeting professional standards.
Introducing the Professional Capabilities Framework
The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), developed by the SWRB, will be introduced in 2012 as the single way in which social workers should think about and plan their careers and professional development. It serves as a backdrop to both initial social work education and continuing professional development after qualification. The PCF has been developed by social workers for social workers. It is a ‘living’ document, in that it is likely to develop as the profession develops. It is owned by The College on behalf of the profession.
We have developed a range of membership services to support you in understanding and meeting professional standards.
The PCF will replace the National Occupational Standards for Social Work in England (although these will still apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and are intended to represent standards or levels of professional practice rather than specific job roles. For example, a social worker may have the professional capabilities of an advanced practitioner but choose to work as an experienced social worker. Having said that, the PCF will undoubtedly influence job roles and descriptions as practice develops. Indeed, work has already been completed by the NJC in relation to job roles, and their conclusions can be found on the Local Government association website.
The role of employers
Employers have a responsibility to contribute to the development of the next generation of social workers, by working in partnership with universities to ensure that the right numbers of social workers are trained, and that enough high quality placements are available to the area to meet the need this creates. You can also support initial social work by encouraging social workers you employ to train as practice educators and take on students on placement. This would involve making sure the resources (such as space) are available by including the needs of students when considering strategic plans. Such activities will enhance the reputation of your organisation and help ensure the requirements of regulatory authorities are met.
Employer standards and the supervision framework
There are a range of opportunities that you will need to ensure are available for your workforce. These are set out in the employer standards. Aspects such as the Supervision Framework for employers of social workers and CPD opportunities and development pathways are all elements that need to be available and promoted across your workforce.The responsibilities of employers are set out in the Standards for employers of social workers in England and Supervision Framework which is held by the Local Government Association.
Developing effective partnerships
The training and supply of social workers is the joint responsibility of employers and universities - neither can produce social workers without the other, so both need to work together in partnerships.You can find out more about the social worker supply-and-demand model (requires free registration) at the Centre for Workforce Intelligence. Employers who participate fully in partnerships gain important influence over the quality of their future workforce.