Career Pathways

Social Work Pathway

Principles of the Social Work Pathway

• CPD is about building capabilities that ensures that children, young people, their families, carers, networks and communities can gain the support and service that they need.
• Social workers through their careers, will build expertise in working with children and young people. They will develop their skills, knowledge and values, and are set out in the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and the Post Qualifying Awards – Knowledge and Skills Statements (PQS).
• All social workers should have a commitment to critical self -reflection on their practice, social justice, anti-oppressive practice, human rights, strength- base practice and working in partnership, underpinned by social work values and ethics.
• Learning and development is a professional and personal responsibility. All social workers should have a commitment to career-long learning and critical reflection on their practice.
• CPD requires appropriate support from colleagues, educators, academics, researchers, regulators, line-managers, leaders, HR and the Social Care Academy
• CPD should be evidenced based. Social work is a profession based on theory and research, law and policy, as well as on experience.
• CPD should be focused on impact not on outputs. It should be proportionate and appropriate for the role. It should be diverse and flexible. CPD is not about ticking off each capability in a level but about developing capabilities that make a difference to the lives of children and young people.
• Expertise should be recognised so that it can be maintained and shared.
• Children and young people should be fully involved in development
• The ability and commitment to educate and provide professional supervision to others, and
• Demonstration of leadership, management and research.

Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) Programme

Introduction

Herefordshire Council is committed to developing the careers of all staff and it recognises that continued professional development (CPD) for qualified social workers is critical in facilitating progression and enabling you to take on increased levels of professional responsibility within your role.

This framework outlines the career pathway from entry into social work to becoming a Senior Practitioner and the criteria and processes to be followed. Another way in which the progression pathway can be thought about is to consider it as a roadmap which supports your journey and the career routes you can travel from entry into social work to becoming a Senior Practitioner in Herefordshire.

Timescales 

The ASYE programme is a 52-week, structured development programme aiming to raise the standard of social work and contribute towards professional development. The ASYE programme follows the Skills for Care Framework, and it’s three main elements: Professional development and support, evidence requirements and assessment and quality assurance.

The programme can be extended based on individual contractual arrangements, such as part-time working hours. If the programme needs to be extended for reasons unrelated to employment terms, it can be paused. This can’t happen due to capability issues but can be paused for reasons including long-term sickness, bereavement or maternity/ paternity/ shared parental leave.

The programme must be completed within 2 years.

Reviews during your ASYE  

Formal reviews of progress will be undertaken at 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months and at the end of the ASYE programme and these will be attended by you, your Team Manager and your Practice Assessor. You will be assessed against the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) at NQSW level, and Post-Qualifying Standards: Knowledge and Skills Statements (PQS) for child family and family practitioners. You are required to work on a portfolio of evidence that needs to be submitted at the end of the year to the ASYE Moderation panel.

Support

You will have access to regular and focused support and supervision. A Practice Assessor from the Social Care Academy will support you throughout the year, providing critical reflective supervision and fortnightly development groups with your peers. You will also be supported by your Team Manager, who will be responsible for your day-to-day work.

If you would like to find out more about our ASYE programme, please contact the Social Care Academy via email socialcareacademy@herefordshire.gov.uk