New SCIE film explores support for newly qualified social workers
A new film highlighting the importance of supporting newly qualified social workers(NQSW) has been released by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (Scie).
During their first year in practice Social workers will need to develop skills, knowledge and professional competence. Support for this period is known as the ‘Assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE)’.
A new film, launched today on Social Care TV, shows how effective a good ASYE can be for social workers and their employers. The film was made in collaboration with Skills for Care and The College of Social Work. Social Care TV, from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), bring the topics alive through the stories of people who use services, their families, friends, and staff who support them.
Case study: Brent
The film highlights the work of Brent children’s services in London. Central to the ASYE programme is a focus on one-to-one supervision; supervisors look at workload management, but they make sure they factor in time for reflection, in order to develop social workers’ practice. Newly qualified social workers in Brent are given the space to consider all aspects of their practice and personal development.
Laura Deane, a newly qualified social worker in the borough, says on the film that at first she worried that would feel she was being watched. However, she soon realised that it doesn’t feel like that at all. She says she appreciates the time she has to ask questions and explore the work she does. Laura’s supervisor, Norene Owusuh, says it’s important to provide Laura with support on how to learn on the job and to develop emotional resilience.
Professional Advisor at The College of Social Work, Anne Mercer says: “ASYE is designed to ensure that during their first year of employment, newly qualified social workers are able to gain the professional skills and confidence required to establish their careers and reinforce effective working and best practice. It is crucial that social workers start their professional lives in a structured and supported environment provided by ASYE. The College is pleased to support the programme by providing standards on its implementation through our Professional Capabilities Framework and certification for social workers who successfully complete their ASYE.”
Skills for Care’s programme head, Graham Woodham says: “We know a Newly Qualified Social Worker’s first year in employment is vital in establishing quality practice, so the ASYE programme, provided through their employers, gives them and their manager or supervisor time to critically reflect on, and assess, their progress and to share experiences.”
SCIE’s Chief Executive Tony Hunter says: “As a social worker by profession, I know the value that this sort of approach can take. Newly qualified social workers need good managers who support them by nurturing talent and mentoring them to get the best results. The film shows how ASYE is being embraced in Brent and it’s good to see that time is set aside to make sure that social workers are properly supported as they branch out on their new careers.”
To view the film, visit: http://www.scie.org.uk/socialcaretv/index.asp
