The London Borough of Newham is investing in its social workers by providing a broad career progression support programme. The council offers excellent opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and experience of working in a dynamic and progressive setting. The support includes membership of Making Research Count and CareKnowledge, which provides a wide range of evidence-informed practice and resources, access to a number of courses to apply for via the Apprenticeship route for all staff, and opportunities to work in a wide range of roles where one can develop knowledge and expertise alongside the provision of mandatory and non-mandatory training days and mentoring/shadowing arrangements. The council also offers Best Interest Assessor and Approved Mental Health Professional training opportunities for Social Workers, peer supervision sessions, and reflective practice. Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) receive consistent support in their first year of employment through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme, which aims to ensure that NQSWs become confident, competent social work professionals. All new social workers also have access to a five-day training course in systemic practice. Newham’s overall work is underpinned by a Circles of Support practice framework, based on relational and anti-racist practice which focuses on providing a circle of support to both children and families, but also to social workers.
The project aims to provide social workers with a structured programme of induction into professional social work, offering many benefits, including a personalized training and development plan, 1:1 support from trained and experienced ASYE assessors, reduced caseload, protected development time, training opportunities, internal moderation panel, clear appeals process, and career conversation at the end of the programme. The programme also provides opportunities to work alongside academics to deliver teaching sessions in their area of expertise, attend and participate in academic activities such as attending an accredited module relevant to social care, an admission day, participating in Skills Development Days and Practice Education Panels, and regular updates on various opportunities and recorded webinars.