Making Re-registration meaningful: PQ Pourquoi

1. Making Re-registration meaningful: PQ Pourquoi?  JSWEC Conference Workshop 12th July 2007 Hilary Tompsett, Kingston University Introduce SelfIntroduce Self

2. The workshop facilitators Hilary Tompsett RSWJane Lindsay AASW, RSW School of Social Work, Faculty of Health & Social Care SciencesKingston University & St George’s, University of London  Introduce team:  set in joint Faculty -KU & SGUL Multi-disciplinary: SWs, GP (practicing and hon lecturer), HV (retired, lead CP), nursing ethicists, mental health  background, administrator (who au pairs for 18 month old twins in her spare time!)Introduce team: set in joint Faculty -KU & SGUL Multi-disciplinary: SWs, GP (practicing and hon lecturer), HV (retired, lead CP), nursing ethicists, mental health background, administrator (who au pairs for 18 month old twins in her spare time!)

3. Aims of the Workshop To identify the expectations and aspirations of participants from the workshop To gain an overview of the current context for PQ in the 4 countries To explore the links and connections between PRTL, PQ and CPD - and what these are To share how workshop participants are approaching re-registration requirements, linking PQ and mapping careers To consider whether we can develop a model for practitioners, social work academics and managers - and ourselves.

4. Ground rules for this workshop? Do we need them? What’s their purpose? What will help us ?

5. Coming soon in your area… PRTL (Post-registration training & learning)England 40 000 to re-register 2007-8Wales, Scotland, NI to follow PQ (Post Qualification Framework) England - new programmes 2006/7 … moving to 4 countries and 4 frameworks CPD (Continuing Professional Development)changing the culture of social work professionals(cf. other professional groups) “We do not yet have a profession in which cpd is taken for granted” (Child Protection Adviser, Options for Excellence, p 26)

6. Outline of session activities Quiz Exercises in groups Summarizing key learning and action points for ourselves

7. Quiz 1 1. When was the register for social workers introduced? And protected title?

8. Answers Register opened April 2003: protected title from 1st April 2005

9. Protection of title – 1/4/2005 Most initial registrations made between 2004-5 The renewal process in England has started (759 renewals in 2006/7) Most of initial registrations will be due for renewal in 2007/8

10. Quiz 2 2. What do you know about PRTL in your country? Are there any differences between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?

11. Answer 2 Guidance is country specific Some conditions will be different:(See handout) BUT: Same requirements overall

12. “Post-registration training and learning is a key condition for continued registration”. (GSCC, cf Care Council for Wales) “ GSCC Registration Rules (2003, amended 2005) specify the post-registration training and learning requirements that all registered social workers must meet.The rules state that: every social worker registered with the GSCC shall, within the period of registration, complete either 90 hours or 15 days of study, training, courses, seminars, reading, teaching or other activities which could reasonably be expected to advance the social worker's professional development, or contribute to the development of the profession as a whole; every social worker registered with the GSCC shall keep a record of post-registration training and learning undertaken; failure to meet these conditions may be considered misconduct.”

13. Scottish Care Council (in addition) All newly qualified workers from Summer 06 will be required to complete 24 days or 144 hours within the first 12 months from date of registration. Re-registration will be on or before the 14 month anniversary”

14. Northern Ireland Social Care Council: (In addition) “Newly qualified social workers have to apply for registration after completing a degree course and before undertaking the assessed year in employment. (NISCC Registration Rules - Rule 7.) The assessed year in employment is an integral part of the Registrant’s Post Registration Training and Learning Requirements and will evidence their fitness to practice in employment”.

15. Quiz 3 3. What sort of post-registration training and learning activities should social workers undertake?

16. Answers 3. The (for example) GSCC and Welsh Care Council are not specific about the type of activities which will meet their requirements. They expect social workers to choose training and learning activities that: will benefit their current employment will benefit their career progression reflect their preferred learning style make the most of the learning opportunities available to form part of wider professional development.

17. This can include: Uncertified informal learning and professional development Shadowing Researching latest policy and good practice developments in their field of practice Doing research related to their practice Completing a period of secondment Identifying and recording learning from appraisal Attending training events, meetings and conferences where there are identifiable outcomes Reading articles or reports etc.

18. or: Certified formal learning and professional development  PQ education programmes Specialist training in house ( GSCC/Wales Care Council guidance(contd) “Studying for a certificated post-qualifying award You can use those studies as evidence that you meet the post-registration training and learning requirements” http://www.gscc.org.uk/Training+and+learning/Continuing+your+training/Post-registration+training/

19. Quiz 4 4. What are the guiding principles of PRTL?

20. Answers 4. The 5 stars of PRTL (Table 3, Care Council for Wales) PRTL is the registrant’s responsibility PRTL does not need to be a difficult or time consuming task PRTL should be the outcome of learning and development activity that both the registrant and their employer recognise PRTL will give service users, colleagues and other employers confidence that registrants are competent to remain on the register PRTL is a flexible process to acknowledge individual achievement and to help to raise standards

21. 4 (contd) PRTL should also be consistent with a registrant’s work role and the aims and objectives of their employer Registrants and managers should discuss and plan how the registrant will meet PRTL requirements

22. Quiz 5 5. What does the PQ framework say should be the characteristics of PQ programmes?

23. Answer 5. “The PQ framework creates opportunities for training and learning that can be: Flexible, to allow for individual circumstances and aspirations A shared responsibility for the manager and the practitioner, achieved through a range of routes that have equal value and can: Incorporate individual training needs Incorporate and employment –based focus: and Incorporate a policy-based focus” (GSCC, CCW, NISCC, SSCC, 2005)

24. Exercise 1: in pairs What are the similarities and differences between the requirements of PRTL and PQ as described? What might be other key differences/similarities you could identify and why?

25. Differences & Similarities? Timescales? PRTL must take place within the 3 years - PQ? PRTL must be consistent with the registrant’s work role and the aims and objectives of their employer - will PQ be consistent with this? Registrants will need to keep a record of achievement “in a systematic manner” (para 37) - how will PQ fit/help with this?

26. Exercise 2 : in small groupsWhat have you (or your HEI) done about re-registration/PRTL? What could you do? Collate the different approaches from your group as to what you have already done Is there anything new you could now think of? Make a note for yourself and feedback anything you have learned from this

27. Evidence of PRTL? GSCC guidance: Para 32 “The GSCC may ask registrants to provide evidence that they have taken part in training and learning in addition to their record of Achievement. When renewing registration, the GSCC will sample a percentage of registrants and look at their evidence for PRTL. It is important all registrants completing their PRTL Record of Achievement are aware of this” How might PQ programmes fit with this?

28. GSCC obligation Rule 7 (4) states that the Council will only grant an application to renew registration where: It is satisfied that the registrant has satisfactorily fulfilled any conditions attached to the registrant’s registration It has received satisfactory evidence of an applicant’s Good character Good conduct Physical and mental fitness to perform the whole or part of the work of a social worker (competence in Scotland) (similar for Wales, Scotland & N Ireland) Would PQ programmes assist with this evidence?

29. Exercise 3: in small groupsHow do your planned PQ programmes fit with PRTL? How do they fit with Induction? Supervision? Appraisal? Codes of Practice for employees and  employers? Work-based training?

30. Exercise 4 in groups Why is all this important? Who is all this for? Who should be engaged in this?

31. PRTL: Because you should? GSCC Codes of Practice (2001) for Social Care Workers 6 As a social care worker, you must be accountable for the quality of your work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills. This includes: 6.1 Meeting relevant standards of practice and working in a lawful, safe and effective way; 6.2 Maintaining clear and accurate records as required by procedures established for your work; 6.3 Informing your employer or the appropriate authority about any personal difficulties that might affect your ability to do your job competently and safely;

32. 6.4 Seeking assistance from your employer or the appropriate authority if you do not feel able or adequately prepared to carry out any aspect of your work, or you are not sure about how to proceed in a work matter 6.5 Working openly and co-operatively with colleagues and treating them with respect 6.6 Recognising that you remain responsible for the work that you have delegated to other workers; 6.7 Recognising and respecting the roles and expertise of workers from other agencies and working in partnership with them; and 6.8 Undertaking relevant training to maintain and improve your knowledge and skills and contributing to the learning and development of others.

33. Because it’s essential for professional development? “to equip workers to deal with change and support career progression” (p 19) To ensure that all newly qualified and new and returning entrants to social care receive effective induction, including training, mentoring support, workload management and skills development” (p29) To make sure “workers will be able to access quality teaching and research and to make decisions founded on a sound evidence base” (p30) Options for Excellence (2006)

34. Because it will enhance professional practice and promote quality? CPD is everyone’s business “Professional supervision is a requirement for safe, sustainable and ethical practice, and an integral part of the employer’s duty of care” (7.2) …”improving professional leadership, career prospects, job satisfaction and motivation…(and)providing people and families using services with access to more experienced and expert social work” (6.2) (Roles & Tasks of Social Work (2007) GSCC led consultation

36. Because it’s good for service users and carers? Children said… give social workers the “right training and more support to improve”…, We want them “to be able to advocate effectively on a child/young person’s behalf”. We want social workers to “Talk about and focus on the successes of the service and advantages of a fulfilling job” Children also wanted Better pay, rewards, praise and prizes And for the job to be more flexible, with less paperwork, and more teamwork…! Children also wanted Better pay, rewards, praise and prizes And for the job to be more flexible, with less paperwork, and more teamwork…!

37. Because good employers should be supporting this? E.g. GSCC Codes of Practice (2001) – Employers’ Code 3 As a social care employer, you must provide training and development opportunities to enable social care workers to strengthen and develop their skills and knowledge. This includes: 3.1 Providing induction, training and development opportunities to help social care workers do their jobs effectively and prepare for new and changing roles and responsibilities; 3.2 Contributing to the provision of social care and social work education and training, including effective workplace assessment and practice learning; 3.3 Supporting staff in posts subject to registration to meet the GSCC’s eligibility criteria for registration and its requirements for continuing professional development; and 3.4 Responding appropriately to social care workers who seek assistance because they do not feel able or adequately prepared to carry out any aspects of their work.

38. Or because you want to? PRTL: Proud, Reflective, Thoughtful and Liberated by engaging with learning, not Performing Rather Than Learning? CPD: promoting your own Continuing Professional Development rather than just seeing the job as Constant Pressure and Demand? Making time to enjoy reflection, reading and planning Being proud and articulate about (y)our profession

39. How can we start preparing for PRTL/CPD/PQ? Encouraging PQ as a means to PRTL Lobbying for PQ to be a requirement for PRTL? Making PQ relevant to PRTL? Making both relevant to CPD and lifelong learning? Finding a starting point for people Why did you take up social work in the first place? Making it connect and be relevant to us…

40. An Exercise: Mapping our careers In pairs: Draw a picture of your career to date What are the values that drive you? How have you accommodated changing demands and changing contexts? Discuss with each other the different decisions you have taken in the past and what/who has influenced you and will influence you in making choices in the future? Sketch out where you see yourself going (with options if there are any) What might you need to do to support your learning on the way there?

41. Finally, how can we make re-registration meaningful? What advice would you give a social work practitioner? Would you give different advice to a manager…or a social work educator? What would make a difference to you?

42. “A quality strategy” for education and training can “deliver a workforce that is skilled and research informed, utilizing knowledge that draws practice and theory together. Above all it has to develop definitions of quality which are meaningful and not just measurable” (Orme 2001 p 623) Perhaps it will have to be measurable too in the current climate of audit and governance but not just measurable Joan Orme writing in 2001, suggested: “A quality strategy” for education and training can “deliver a workforce that is skilled and research informed, utilizing knowledge that draws practice and theory together. Above all it has to develop definitions of quality which are meaningful and not just measurable” (Orme 2001 p 623) This applies of course to services as well as education. The SCIE Report published in the summer 2005 also cites examples of literature on target measurement rather than on professional services.Perhaps it will have to be measurable too in the current climate of audit and governance but not just measurable Joan Orme writing in 2001, suggested: “A quality strategy” for education and training can “deliver a workforce that is skilled and research informed, utilizing knowledge that draws practice and theory together. Above all it has to develop definitions of quality which are meaningful and not just measurable” (Orme 2001 p 623) This applies of course to services as well as education. The SCIE Report published in the summer 2005 also cites examples of literature on target measurement rather than on professional services.

43. Why? Do we in social work want to be “stumbling towards oblivion or discovering new horizons?” (Dominelli 1996) Taking control of our Professional Development Promoting Qualityand making PRTL valued and achievable

44. References/Resources NCB (Sept 2006) Findings from the consultations with young people for the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and the Options for Excellence Review Scottish Executive (2005) Changing Lives: Report of the 21st Century Scottish Social Work Review DH/DfES (2006) Options for Excellence: Building the Social Care Workforce of the Future ADSS Cymru (2005) Social Work in Wales: A Profession to Value Dominelli L (1996) Deprofessionalizing Social Work: anti-oppressive practice, competencies and post-modernism, British Journal of Social Work, Vol 26, Issue 2, pp 153-175 Orme J (2001) Regulation or Fragmentation? Directions for Social Work under New Labour, British Journal of Social Work, 31, 611-624 GSCC (2007) Roles and Tasks of Social Work - Consultation References:

45. References/resources (contd) Care Council for Wales Post Registration Training and Learning Requirements for Registered Social Care Workers Northern Ireland Social Care Council: Post Registration Training and Learning Requirements for Registered Social Care Workers Part One - Guidance Scottish Social Services Council Registration Rules (2006B) General Social Care Council, (2006) Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) requirements for social worker: Advice & Guidance on good practice and GSCC Registration Rules (2003, and amended 2005)