Ruth Cartwright, England manager of the British Association of Social Workers, talks to Community Care about the support given to newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) in the workplace, compared with the "readiness to practise" of social work students. See our news story
"Local authorities, still the major employer of social workers, are dealing with cuts; some are freezing posts or even making social workers redundant. Other councils have protected frontline social workers, but it is not a time in which the number of posts is likely to expand.
"Employers are seeking experienced social workers and sometimes seem to be ignoring the fresh knowledge and enthusiasm that NQSWs can offer. Many NQSWs would not seem to have been best served in terms of having placements which are seen by employers as preparing them for the workplace. Dave Hill, director of children's services for Essex, spoke about this at the NCAS conference, urging employers to offer placements to social work students and to encourage and support their practice educators.
"It is a great concern to BASW that some NQSWs are going into child protection if they are doing so without a great deal of support and guidance, which does go beyond lip service and mean supervision is provided and caseloads are protected. Lack of induction and supervision for NQSWs is also a concern. As an erstwhile team manager, I know it is hard to make time for this, but it really does pay dividends. An induction period means the new worker is able to spend time getting to know colleagues, other professionals, systems and organisations as well as familiarise themselves with the nature of the work and will operate better as a result.
"Personal development plans are excellent. They should follow on from the learning experiences the student has had at university and enable student and manager to see how they should progress in training and experience to consolidate their learning and build upon it.
"Directors and senior managers can have unrealistic expectations of NQSWs, partly because their need is often for social workers who can hit the ground running and be well versed in all the policy and procedures of a particular council. If NQSWs are not given adequate induction and supervision, it is no wonder their performance is not what their managers want. In my work on the Social Work Reform Board, I have found academics to be very keen to produce social workers who can do what is needed, while not compromising on the values which should underpin their work.
"Although there is much to commend the current degree in social work, the complexity of knowledge and skills that social work requires does make it essential that there is excellent continuing professional development following qualification. BASW is very pleased that some employers, in spite of the economic difficulties, are still investing in NQSWs."
News, support and job advice for newly qualified social workers
BASW is hosting a seminar for NQSWs in Birmingham on 2 December
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