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°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ has launched a new programme of continuing professional development (CPD), created for social workers who have trained overseas and have now moved / are planning to move to work in the United Kingdom.
Co-produced with Durham University and The Hong Kong Social Work Action Network, we are delighted to offer learning materials and a programme of support, underpinned by an ethical framework, for colleagues coming into UK social work posts.Ìý
*** A cohort of the Peer Supported Development Programme (package B) is due to commence on 1st July 2024 and we can accept regsitrations up until 31st July. Key dates are included in the information below (*click the + to view details) To register for a place(s), contact ProfDE@basw.co.uk***
Package A: OQSW Self-directed learning
Package consists of access to a Practice Handbook and a Workbook to complete learning activity
This digital learning resource can be completed pre-registration / placement or at the commencement of taking up a UK post.Ìý
Practice Handbook: 90 days access to a self-directed digital resource incorporating a range of approaches to adult learning and professional development including reading, podcasts, films, reflective exercises, exploration of social work research and links to relevant websites. All you need to know to help prepare for social work practice in the UK.
Workbook: A person-centred record of your learning and resources you need to do the job – wherever you choose to work. This can be kept permanently as an ongoing continuing professional development resource.
The handbook and accompanying workbook takes around 50 hours and a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certificate is awarded upon completion.
Includes:
- Welcome to Social Work practice in the United Kingdom
- Social work in the UK – history and practice context
- Underpinning our practice – Values & ethics of practice
- Supervised Practice and getting the most from supervision
- What supports our practice
- My personal learning workbook
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Hours - 50
Cost per delegate:Ìý
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ member - £99Ìý
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ NI/IASW associate member - £99 + VAT (£118.80)
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ non member in UK - £149
Non member outside UK in EU country - £149 + VAT (£178.80)
Non member outside UK & EU - £149
Non member outside UK in a low income country/economy (as defined by ) - £56
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ members log in before clicking the enrol link to access your discounted price
Contact: ProfDE@basw.co.uk
Package B: OQSW Peer Supported Development Programme
Package consists of access to a Practice Handbook and a Workbook to complete learning activity, plus a supported year in employment
This package is suitable for delegates upon commencement of taking up a post in the UK.Ìý
Practice Handbook: 90 days access to a self-directed digital resource incorporating a range of approaches to adult learning and professional development including reading, podcasts, films, reflective exercises, exploration of social work research and links to relevant websites. All you need to know to help prepare for social work practice in the UK.
Workbook: A person-centred record of your learning and resources you need to do the job – wherever you choose to work. This can be kept permanently as an ongoing continuing professional development resource.
The handbook and accompanying workbook takes around 50 hours and a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certificate is awarded upon completion.
Includes:
- Welcome to Social Work practice in the United Kingdom
- Social work in the UK – history and practice context
- Underpinning our practice – Values & ethics of practice
- Supervised Practice and getting the most from supervision
- What supports our practice
- My personal learning workbook
The Peer supported Development Programme is made up of:
- 3 x 1 hour 1:1 online sessions with a qualified coachÌý
- 6 x 1.5 hour online group action learning setsÌý
- Accompanied by self-directed learningÌý
Coaching offers a confidential space for social workers to talk and think through personal and professional challenges, using person-centred solution focused approaches to find ways forward. Sessions are facilitated by a qualified and accredited coach.
Action Learning Sets provide participants with opportunities to learn in a more structured way using the cycle of Action; Reflection; Learning; Planning. Within the context of peer supervision and collaborative reflection, participants can engage with peers and network with each other, simultaneously creating a team approach to building mutual support and shared learning.
Self-directed learning takes place to demonstrate professional curiosity in proactively seeking and accessing resources.Ìý Participants take the initiative either on an individual basis or with peers, in identifying their continuing professional development needs alongside the experiential learning of social work practice, as they transition to being full case holders.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Hours - 158
Next cohort commences on 1st July - spaces are available to book now!
Action Learning Set Dates (attend all) - Tues 17th Sept 2024, Tues 19th November 2024, Tues Jan 14th 2025, Tues 25th March 2025, Tues 13th May 2025 & Tues 24th June 2025. All 11:30 - 13:00
1:1 Coaching Session Dates (attend all) - ÌýWed 28th August 2024, Wed 23rd October 2024, Wed 11th Dec 2025. Times for 1st session will be allocated post registration, timeslots for further dates will be arranged at initial session.
Cost: £995 + VAT (£1,194) per delegate. Block bookings of 5 or more delegates in a cohort can access a discounted price of £896 + VAT (£1,075) per delegate.Ìý
Please contact ProfDE@basw.co.uk to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
An initial iteration of FAQs which will be updated into the future - if anything you would like to ask isn't covered, we can be contacted at ProfDE@basw.co.uk
Eligibility
- Can I become a °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ member before registering with a UK regulator?Ìý
Yes, if you are a qualified social worker or social work student living in the UK we welcome you to join our membership. You can then access ourÌýmember benefits includingÌýdiscounted CPD,Ìý, access to our Professional Support Service and become part of the UK’s .
- Can a qualified social worker outside of the UK who is not yet practicing in the UK enrol for package B?Ìý
To be eligible to enrol for package B, delegates must be registered and working in a social work role in the UK.Ìý
- Can I enrol for package B while I am working in a social work related role although I am not yet registered?
Package B is currently only for registered social workers already in a social work role
- Is the package suitable for all international workers, despite their nationality?Ìý
Package A is suitable for qualified social workers who plan to, or have already, moved to a role in the UK. It can be accessed worldwide. Package B delegates must be working in a social work role in the UK.Ìý
- Is this programme compulsory for all overseas social workers?Ìý
No, this is not compulsory learning and if you wish to enrol, you can choose either package A or B in line with your needs and circumstances.
Programme Design & Contents
- How does the registration process for package B work?Ìý
Package B is delivered on a cohort basis. Once °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ have a sufficient number of requests, a cohort will be formed and those delegates will be provided with a registration link and set dates to attend the coaching and action learning group sessions. Cohorts can be made up of delegates from a mixture of organisations, or where demand permits, specifically for one organisation. Payment is made by invoice and a Purchase Order (PO) number is required in the registration form.
- How has °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ incorporated the diversity of cultural backgrounds worldwide in the training?Ìý
The project team developed the programme contents from feedback, inputs, data and expertise from a number of sources including °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ members, diaspora social workers, the Hong Kong Social Work Action Network, International Federation of Social Workers & °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ International Committee.
- Before signing up to packages for our overseas recruited social workers - could we have an opportunity to see the full material in the different packages to enable us to make an informed decision about whether it is right for us?Ìý
As an employer, if you contact us atÌýProfDE@basw.co.uk we can provide further detail about the packages.
- How do you differentiate between the different legislation/ frameworks within the UK nations? Do you hold separate sessions depending on where someone will work?Ìý
The Practice Handbook contains information on legislation and frameworks across all UK nations. In peer supported sessions, cohorts may have delegates from a variety of organisations and nations - this will be managed by the coach to ensure relevance to all.Ìý
- How do you check that people have committed the required hours for these packages since they are not supervised?Ìý
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ ask for return of the completed workbook, which is subject to a formative assessment before issuing completion certificates.Ìý
- Does the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ programme cover any information on practice outside UK nations?Ìý
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ’s overseas qualified social worker learning is focussed on practice in the UK. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ have an activeÌýDiaspora Special Interest Group which may be useful in order to link in with social workers who qualified in other countries
- What considerations are given to supporting anti-racist practice by °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ?
The Practice Handbook contains a section covering ‘The Values and Ethics in Social Work Practice’ which has guidance on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and anti-racist practice.
Costs
- In terms of costs, and being aware of the financial difficulties for overseas social workers - are there any options of support?Ìý
We offering a discounted members rate and a significant discount on package A registration for delegates residing in low-income countries.
- Is there a package/block booking cost for organisations?
There is not a block booking discount on package A, however for a booking of 5 or more delegates on any one package B cohort, a discount is available. We do not offer a package for organisations to deliver this in-house, however °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ has a variety of information and resources available on our website which can contribute to learning about UK practice.ÌýPlease see our webpage for more details
- Is the Practice Handbook and Workbook available in different languages?Ìý
The learning material is only available in English.
- Are the packages general training or directed to a specific field of specialty within social work practice or client group?Ìý
The packages are able to support delegates across all social work specialisms.
Gaining UK Social Work Knowledge, Experience & Supervised Practice
- I have registered with a UK regulator but cannot find a role without UK experience. How can °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ help?Ìý
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ’s package A: Practice Handbook and Workbook provides relevant learning about social work practice in the UK which would contribute to demonstrating continuing professional development and understanding of UK practice within applications for UK roles.Ìý
- How do the packages prepare social workers for overseas practice?
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ’s package A: Practice Handbook and Workbook provides relevant learning about social work practice in the UK which would contribute to demonstrating continuing professional development and understanding of UK practice. Package B provides additional learning, coaching and support with 1:1s and group action learning sets to support you alongside your social work role in the UK.
- How do I gain social work experience and access supervised practice before I am registered?Ìý
Supervised practice opportunities can be accessed through unqualified social work support roles and volunteering roles. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ maintain aÌýdirectory of Independent Social Workers who are °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ members and may be able to provide supervision for a fee.
- How do the packages support registration with the relevant regulator?
Registration requirements differ by nation. Please see the following links for current advice:Ìý
- England –Ìýcontact:ÌýSocial Work EnglandÌý- registration informationÌý
- Wales – contact:ÌýSocial Care WalesÌý- registration informationÌý
- Northern Ireland –Ìýcontact:ÌýNorthern Ireland Social Care CouncilÌý- registration informationÌý
- Scotland –Ìýcontact:ÌýÌý- registration informationÌý
Package A can contribute to private study in updating skills and knowledge. Package B is designed to support social workers already in a role and can be used to demonstrate continuing professional development for annual re-registration.
Other
- Do °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ provide guidance for local authoritiesÌýto support overseas social workers?
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ’s Diaspora Special Interest Group have published the guide ‘International Recruitment and Induction Standards for International Social Workers coming to the UK’ which is freely available for download.
- Do the learning packages qualify me to work as a social worker in the UK?Ìý
The we have available at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ do not provide a qualification / authority to practice, they are learning and support that will help you to understand social work practice in the UK and prepare for / adapt to a UK role.
- If I am a registered social worker in one UK nation,Ìýcan I work in another nation?Ìý
You can only accept work in the nation in which you are registered. You can apply to register in further UK nations. E.g. if you are registered with Scottish Social Services Council and wish to also / or work in England, you would need to register with Social Work England.
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û²éѯ Overseas Qualified Social Worker (OQSW) Programme Launch Event - held 5th March 2024
Thank you to everyone who came along to what was a very well attended launch event for this programme.Ìý
Slides can be downloaded from this page and you can now view replay of the event. We had lots of great questions, and are currently working to distill the key themes into a FAQs document which will also be published on this page.
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