CWDC Update: Next step for new social workers

For 500 social workers across England, the next step in their professional journey has been the early professional development (EPD) programme — with more set to join as they successfully complete the NQSW programme from this autumn.

CWDC developed the EPD programme with 44 local authorities and Cafcass. Employers said they wanted a common framework to support the development of social workers in their second and third years in the job. It was important to them that this was flexible enough to be used within their existing organisational policies and procedures. Sixty-three employers are now supporting social workers through the programme.

Keith Brumfitt, director at CWDC, says: "It's a less formally structured framework than the NQSW programme, recognising that people are moving on in their development, growing in confidence and professional autonomy. It focuses on helping employers to support social workers to develop skills in handling more complex work, particularly in relation to safeguarding and child protection. A key part of that is being able to use the latest research to strengthen what they do on a daily basis. We think the programme offers a helpful model for future thinking about continuing professional development in social work."