Social workers
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 for social workers in practice understand how the changes will affect them.
Supporting you to excel in your career as a social worker
We have developed a range of membership services to support you in understanding and meeting professional standards. This includes the 'knowledge at the college' help desk, an interactive PCF tool, the communities of practice, mentoring and much more.
Creating a new way of thinking about the skills, knowledge and values social workers use in their practice
The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) was developed by the Social Work Reform Board, and will be introduced in 2012 as the single way in which social workers should think about and plan their careers and professional development. It will serve 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.
Capabilities rather than competences
The move from the concept of ‘competence’ to that of ‘capability’ reflects the desire for social work education and development to move away from a mechanistic ‘tick box’ approach to a more holistic approach and one which expects educators, students and professional social workers to consider people’s professional capabilities in a rounded way. It will help people to identify areas for development.
The capabilities are much broader than competences, and are not designed or intended to be ‘assessment criteria’. We do, though have to make sure that we know what the capability statements mean, and how we can judge whether they have been demonstrated or not. In some cases, particularly where these are ‘soft skills’ such as communication, this can be challenging to do. However, we do believe that we need to do this: We’ve got to make what’s important assessable, not make what’s assessable important.
A Professional Capabilities Framework rather than an Occupational Framework
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.
Contributing to the development of the profession
Social workers have a professional responsibility, set out in the PCF, to contribute to the development of the next generation of social workers. You can do this through supervision and support for students on placement, giving feedback on practice, or allowing shadowing opportunities. You might also get involved with higher education to teach or advise on the way their programmes are put together and delivered. Such activities can also contribute to your own CPD.
A new approach to continued professional development
Throughout your career there is a need to maintain your professional development and learning and to ensure you keep up-to-date with progress and evidence in your field. All social workers are required to maintain professional registration and demonstrate CPD. The GSCC currently require social workers to undertake five days per year, when the HPC take over registration in 2012 this will change slightly, with an emphasis placed on what impact CPD activities have on your practice. You can use the PCF and supervision to help guide your choices and preferences.
As well as a range of courses, activities and personal study you could undertake, there are also specific pathways that you can follow as part of your professional development, and roles you can train to undertake – these include becoming an:
- Approved Mental Health Professional (mental health)
- BIA (mental capacity/Deprivation of Liberty)
- Advanced Practitioner (Children & Families)
- Practice Educator (social work education)
The role of Employers
Employers are key partners in ensuring you get the support you need to do your job successfully. Having access to regular (a minimum of 1.5hrs of uninterrupted private time monthly) quality supervision from a qualified, registered social worker. Read Supervision Framework for employers of social workers. The employers standards are for all social work employers.