Have Your Say

Have Your Say

This issue, we’ve been talking to our social workers about issues relating to training and career development. We know that this is a hot topic for many of you, so it has been a pleasure to learn how you think that training opportunities should be improved for social workers, regardless of what stage they are at in their careers. You can let us know whether you agree with our community through our social media channels @myswnews or email us directly via press@mysocialworknews.com

How can we improve training, progression and career development opportunities for social work professionals?

“Ensuring training is relevant to all areas of social work. Good academic and practical support. Opportunities for more specialised training.” - Marion, Student Social Worker

“Firstly, give social workers the time to undertake training without feeling pressures to keep their cases up-to-date. This means finding a real back up support (e.g having a social worker covering caseloads while training is undertaken so that the person can focus and embrace the training). Secondly have some quality training that gives social workers tools for practice; e.g conflict resolution, real case scenarios.” - Diana, Independent Social Worker

“Ensure those practice teachers and assessors (I was both) are regularly assessed and accountable. I have witnessed poor practice being passed on to students.” - Sue, Retired Social Worker

“Social workers to be given the time and opportunity to undertake career development. Often, it is difficult for social workers to comprehend undertaking training as their caseload is so high.” - Amy, Newly Qualified Social Worker

“The only opportunities it appears within social work progression seems to be management or to remain as a social worker. More career development opportunities would be good to use social work skills and retain enthusiasm which I feel is not utilised, you see people leaving, taking their experience with them.” - Tanya, Independent Social Worker

What can be done to improve ASYE experiences?

“To make more ASYE experiences and jobs available. Allow students to change to adults or children halfway through if they wish to do so.” - Almira, Student Social Worker

“As an ASYE, acknowledgement needs to be given to the fact that Newly Qualified Social Workers are not experienced. During my ASYE I have had constant battles with myself, knowing I should say no to certain cases or workload because I do not want to be seen as somebody that is not competent at their job. I am a very passionate social worker, however, ASYE's are feeling overwhelmed in their first year which is resulting in them learning upon completion. NQSW’s need a designated team around them who can support and provide guidance where needed. A clear structure and requirements set out throughout the different stages of the first year.” - Amy, Newly Qualified Social Worker

“Slow down the learning with more investment in mentoring, where qualified mentors work consistently alongside new social workers, real investment in the workforce saves money and improves practice” - Nicki, Head of Service

“Fund social work provision in local authorities so that they can do the job properly. This will mean they can invest time and effort into staff development.” - T, Service Manager

“ASYE experiences need to be varied to try and cover as many areas as possible. They need to be allowed to shadow, but also be shadowed with an experienced social worker. They should also have lots of reflective discussions about how they felt (value-based thoughts) and also about how they felt they managed the situations and how they could do it differently next time. They should be encouraged to use their own life experiences to draw upon their relationship-building but without sharing too much of their life to family (they need to learn this fine balance).” - Diana, Independent Social Worker

“Discuss with others to share skills and experience” - Sue, Retired Social Worker

“More exposure to work opportunities across social work which would enable social workers to be appropriately trained and have knowledge of other teams and areas that they may like to work in. Also, they should not be used as normal workers. Their experience needs to be well supported and monitored.” - Tanya, Independent Social Worker

“Ensure the managers and senior practitioner have a rolling programme so that good practice can be embedded. Contract of expectation to be adhered to. Having somewhere to turn if needed. Match skills more carefully to team needs, individual needs and strengths.” - Sarah, Principle Fostering Manager

Social media has changed the complexities of safeguarding both children and adults. Abuse, grooming, radicalisation, contact with birth families and increase risk of sexual exploitation can all arise as a result of digital media. How can social workers successfully manage these online risks?

“To receive up-to-date training to make them aware of the risks when working with young people who are more knowledgeable about using social media. This training would be useful as a multi-agency approach to share information.” - Tanya, Social Worker

“Children are mostly at home when using social media or out and about in the community, and so this is something that a visiting social worker cannot monitor fully. However, they can find ways of teaching parents about safe monitoring and most importantly, this should be about teaching and guiding parents around their responsibilities. As social workers we need to be supporting, teaching and guiding parents on how to manage online risks.” - Diana, Social Worker

“Clarity about what social workers can do - the conflict between the need to protect and the rights of families for privacy, even in public social media sites, is confusing” - T, Service Manager

“Currently social workers often do not address the risks posed by social media. Young mayors, youth advisors, and specialist police and forensic staff need to be engaged in a feedback loop to the safeguarding partnerships to enable timely and accurate assessment and response.” - Nicki, Head of Service

“Whilst social workers can undertake direct work and attend social media courses which highlight the risks associated, it needs to be a wider community approach. Social workers alone cannot manage such risks, children need to be educated in the educational sector as well as by their families and caregivers.” - Amy, Newly Qualified Social Worker

“To use child-friendly exercises to gain insight into the child's risks and dangers. Discuss those risks to both children and parents. Confirm there are locks and passwords installed on devices as well as parental controls installed” - Laura, Social Worker