Training of Children and Families Social Workers - Children, Schools and Families Committee Contents


Memorandum submitted by Foster Care Associates

The FCA group of companies (FCA) are very interested in the development and supervision of newly qualified social workers.

During the past two years the number of student social work placements offered by FCA has increased by over 300% (from 15 to over 60 per academic year). FCA offers a variety of placements including observation, first, but predominately Final Year placements. This year we have worked with over 30 Universities on both BA and MA courses. Feedback from both Universities and students have been very positive, and we will continue to offer high quality placements to as many Universities as we can.

  Many students on placement are of a very high calibre. Students bring energy and enquiring minds and help to focus on our practices and consistently bring the challenge of first principles through their engagement and asking of questions. Students also bring with them new models and theories that can be tested in practice with potential to alternative views and work practices.

  Following the success of the students within the organisation, FCA are developing a "Graduate Learning Programme". This will be open to newly qualified social workers employed by the group of companies. The programme begins in September 2009 and will offer 28 days training during the worker's first year (this is over and above training offered by their regions—typically 20 days for a "new starter") and will consist of the following:

    — Corporate Induction.

    — Safeguarding Children.

    — Developing knowledge of fostering including legal framework.

    — Supervision of carers including "managing crisis".

    — Child development and attachment.

    — Assessment.

    — Educational needs of children.

    — Sanctuary Seeking Children.

    — Groupwork.

    — Equality and Diversity.

    — Parent and Child placements.

    — Role of Family Placement social workers in relation to professional colleagues.

    — Policy and Procedures (including recording practices).

    — Direct work with children.

    — Working with children with disabilities.

  As well as the training programme, newly qualified social workers will be offered mentoring and support on both a regional and national level within the first year. They will also receive peer support from others on the programme.

  During the Induction period, workers are given time to familiarise themselves with other staff, policy and procedures as well as expectations of their role. Time will be allocated to discuss and plan how the worker will gradually fulfil the requirements of their job description. All social workers receive high quality supervision, which will occur every four weeks. This will be linked into a worker's three month interim and six month probationary review. Subsequently each social worker and their manager agree a "Personal Development Plan" which is reviewed every six months.

  Ingrid Oldham, FCA's Learning and Development Officer (Practice Learning) is responsible for developing and coordinating the Graduate Learning Programme. Ingrid has vast experience of supervising and managing students and working directly with newly qualified social workers on the professional development. She has worked within a Local Authority for 19 years as well as "tutoring" at various Universities on both the BA and MA courses. During her time at the Local Authority, Ingrid developed and coordinated a programme for newly qualified social workers and ran the scheme for five years until moving to FCA. The programme produced some excellent practitioners who were equipped both with the knowledge and practical skills to address many of the ethical/practice issues raised in social work. The programme also reduced the turnover of newly qualified staff both while they were on the course, and through the following years, delivering approximately 90% retention rates. The programme was also used as a "stepping stone" for the wider Continued Professional Development, and linked into social workers undertaking their Post Qualification awards.

  FCA are committed to the continuous development of social work professionals and are expanding learning opportunities in the field of social work at pre and post qualification level. We are also committed to developing social work managers who have the knowledge, skills and experience to develop, support, coach, mentor and educate the staff that they supervise. As a consequence the recipients of our service (foster carers and looked after children) have the best opportunity to have their needs appropriately addressed.

  FCA would be happy to contribute further to the discussion around this issue should the Select Committee deem this appropriate.

May 2009







 
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