Consolidation Programme for Newly Qualified Social Workers

The programme reflects current research, legislation and policy and incorporates the Welsh context which includes the language, culture, geography, and legislation within Wales. The Code of Professional Practice for Social Care Workers (2017) and the relevant National Occupational Standards (2012) underpin the learning. The inter-professional context of Social Work practice is highlighted. The perspectives of individuals and carers who use services are prevalent throughout the management, delivery, and development of the module.

The Consolidation Programme focuses on three key areas, with particular emphasis on the third area:

• Applying analysis in assessment to inform interventions.
• Working collaboratively with individuals in need of care and support and their carers and other professionals.
• Intervention and application of professional judgement in increasingly complex situations.

The programme module attracts 30 credits at Level 6.

The delivery of the Consolidation Programme is in collaboration with the University of South Wales and Cardiff Metropolitan University and 10 Local Authorities to include Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Monmouth, Newport and Torfaen. This ensures that the module is relevant to the needs and demands of the workforce. The Higher Education Institution (HEI) will be the awarding body. The Programme is validated by both HEI’s and approved by Social Care Wales under The Approval and Inspection for Post Qualifying Social Work Courses (Wales) 2019.

As a Consolidation candidate, you will be assigned a Consolidation Practice Assessor by your Local Authority who will assess and support you throughout your learning journey.

Introduction

The aim of the introduction day is to provide an outline of the taught days and the learning outcomes. An overview of the assessment process will be given including the requirements for both the academic assignment and portfolio.

Day 1: Assessment & Analysis within Practice

The aim of the first day will be to consider assessment, risk assessment & risk management and working with complexity. It will explore how social workers make sense of information presented during assessment, making links between values, theory, legislation, and practice. There will consideration of professional curiosity, analysis and how these can inform good practice in relation to assessments and decision making.

Learning outcomes linked to day 1:

• 1.1 Understand how legislative frameworks, theoretical perspectives, standards, and guidance are used to inform assessment practice.
• 1.3 Be able to record assessment information to inform decision making.
• 1.4 Be able to make professional judgements based on assessment information.
• 3.2. Be able to manage your role as a social worker in increasingly complex situations.
• 3.6. Be able to contribute to legal processes within the remit of professional social work.
• 3.7. Be able to exercise professional accountability in increasingly complex situations.

Day 2: Social Context of Social Work. Legal Frameworks & Social Policy

The aim of the second day will be to give an overview of the Welsh context of social work and consider the influences of policy and legislation and how this guides practice in Wales. It will explore approaches to social work practice that will promote collaborative working in order to enhance the well-being of individuals who use services and their carers. It will also consider how social work practice in Wales can be influenced by global issues and perspectives.

Learning outcomes linked to day 2:

• 1.2 Be able to use a citizen centered, outcome focused approach to carry out a range of assessments to promote and support well-being./li>
• 2.1 Be able to communicate effectively with people in need of care and support and their carers
• 2.2 Be able to work in partnership with individuals and other professionals
• 3.1. Understand the relationship between social policy, legislative frameworks and guidance with social services provision in Wales.

Day 3: Critical Reflection in Practice

The aims of the third day are to consider the different levels of reflection that can be utilised in practice. It will consider how critical reflection and critical thinking skills assists practitioners in managing complexity and enables social workers to critically evaluate their own analysis and decision making within social work assessments. A recap of the assessment requirements will also be provided.

Learning outcomes linked to day 3:

• 1.5 Be able to use critical reflection to evaluate own analysis in social work assessments.
• 2.3 Critically reflect on own collaborative working.

There are two parts to the assessment of this module: an academic summative assessment (3,000 words) and a portfolio of evidence. The portfolio comprises of one direct observation with individuals who use services and their carers (and feedback from this direct work), one peer group exercise and four sets of supervision minutes. Both elements of the assessment must be passed for the 30-credit module to be awarded.

The criteria for admission on to the programme are that the applicant is:

• A qualified social worker and on the Register of Social Care Wales, or Social Work England, or the Scottish Social Services Council or the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, (and then be required to remain on the Register in order to obtain an award).
• ​Currently in practice, (and/or can access practice learning opportunities to meet the learning and assessment needs of the intended modules of study). In most instances this is evidenced by employer and/or line manager support.
• Normally nominated and supported by their employing agencies, who must give written confirmation that candidates will be released to attend the course, and that they will be provided with adequate support for the module(s) undertaken, e.g. assessor for any direct observations required.
• Submits an application via the appropriate University application forms and come through the relevant Local Authority.
• Has completed the First Year in Practice requirements at the point of application, which includes the mandatory training provided by Local Authorities.
• All applications from independent candidates should come through the supporting agency, which tends to be your nearest Local Authority Training Department. Please contact your nearest Local Authority Training Department for more information on how to apply for the Consolidation Programme at Cardiff Met.

If you would like to apply for the Consolidation Programme​ at Cardiff Met, then initially please contact your Agency Workforce Development Team/Manager (or your nearest Local Authority Training Department if you do not work for a local council).

For further information about the course at Cardiff Met, please contact:

Kate Andrews, KAndrews@cardiffmet.ac.uk (Award Administrator)

Jude Badmington-Fowler, JHBadmington-Fowler@cardiffmet.ac.uk (Programme Director for Post Qualifying Social Work and Module Co-ordinator)

We look forward to hearing from you if you have any queries and to help support you in your professional development.