Social care: the route to qualification

The full-time degree takes three years, but entrants who are already graduates can apply to take a Masters Degree in Social Work, which generally takes two years to complete part time.

Applicants with relevant work experience and the minimum academic criteria can apply to the Regional Trainee Scheme, where students are employed and paid by a local authority while completing their degree.

The government also announced in its workforce development plan Building Brighter Futures in April 2008 that it is to pilot a fast-track, work-based route into social work for mature professionals that will offer accelerated entry and progression.

In Northern Ireland, applicants with a relevant degree may be eligible to apply for the accelerated route, normally completing the social work degree in two years.

Within the next few years, everyone in Northern Ireland involved in providing or delivering social work and social care services will be registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), which means they will meet agreed standards of conduct, practice, training and education.

From April 2008, the Induction Standards for new social care workers, setting out the initial steps for a new worker to enable them to do their job safely and effectively, became a registration requirement for new social care workers in Northern Ireland.

Social work assistants

Assistants work alongside social workers, but have less responsibility and do not always have formal qualifications. Training can be organised by the employer on the job through National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in care.

Social work assistants, unqualified residential workers, and foster carers working with children can take an NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People (with a minor variation in units for Scotland).

Promoting Independence NVQ Level 3 is a general qualification to assist those working in learning disabilities and mental health fields, but it also has relevance to children in family settings and so may be appropriate for those working with children with disabilities.

Post-qualified staff

Once qualified, social workers can work in any area of social work, including with children and young people. They can also undertake specialised postgraduate training.

In England, the General Social Care Council announced a new post-qualifying framework for social work in 2005, based on academic awards approved by the council. These are at graduate, postgraduate diploma and masters levels. There are three levels in the new framework, each corresponding to a different stage of professional development: Specialist Social Work; Higher Specialist Social Work; and Advanced Social Work.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also reformed their post-qualifying framework. In Wales, the Care Council for Wales has announced a new Modular Framework for Post-Qualifying Learning and Development in Social Work. The framework allows for courses at graduate and post-graduate levels, and specified courses have been developed for childcare and practice assessment at Level 6 and for mental health at Level 7. The council
is also advising that having a full Post Qualifying Award in Social Work is the easiest way to transfer to the new framework.

Finally, the British Association for Adoption & Fostering has developed one of the first modules to specialise in family placement. It is accredited at part two of the Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work and addresses competencies two to five. On successful completion of this module, and assessment of the required portfolio, candidates will gain 60 credits towards their required 120 credits needed for the full post-qualification award.

Foster carers

There is no single qualification in foster care, although charity the Fostering Network champions the training and professional development of foster carers. In England, the Foster Care Standards were launched in May 2007 and they are available on the Children's Workforce Development Council's website www.cwdcouncil.org.uk.

Pre-approval-level training is mandatory and most agencies provide this training in-house. Most use the Fostering Network's new applicant training. The Fostering Network provides the only course on training the trainers.

Foster carers can continue to develop their knowledge and skills by undertaking additional training that may be provided in-house or from external training providers. Examples of courses at this level include the Fostering Network's Men in Foster Care, Caring for Black Children and Moving On.

Carers can also take a nationally recognised vocational qualification called NVQ Health and Social Care: Caring for Children and Young People Level 3.

Family court advisers

Family court advisers fulfil various roles in family court proceedings, including children and family reporter, reporting officer in adoption cases and guardian ad litem. All these roles involve safeguarding and promoting the welfare and best interests of children in public and private law cases in family courts across England. As a result, staff advise on the needs of children who have been separated from their families, while also helping parents to resolve disputes about living arrangements for their children following separation and divorce.

To work in these roles, professionals need a recognised social work qualification and at least three years' post-qualifying experience of working with children and families or in child protection. While the current Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work, and its successor, is seen as useful, it is not essential.

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) employs or contracts the services of family court advisers. As the largest employing agency of qualified social workers in England, Cafcass offers a practice learning programme. This provides the opportunity for social work students to support the role of children and family reporters in private law and to gain experience in public law.

Welsh family court advisers require a BA (Hons) in Social Work or equivalent qualification recognised by the Care Council for Wales. A minimum of three years' social work experience
is required.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the court service is part of the criminal justice system and qualified social workers are eligible to work in the service. However, Northern Ireland only has guardians ad litem, although sometimes social services may be asked to send a social worker to speak to the court on behalf of the child. All need a social work qualification.

Scotland, on the other hand, has its own unique children's hearings system. Children are referred to children's reporters by a number of sources for a variety of reasons. These reporters investigate each referral to decide if compulsory measures of intervention are needed. Reporters generally come from a legal or social work background, but can come from other areas, such as teaching or voluntary work.

Residential care workers

Those wanting to work in residential care can get a placement in a residential care setting and then study for the NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care: Children. Managers need Level 4. City & Guilds also has a NVQ Level 4 for Managers in Residential Child Care.

All domiciliary workers and residential care-home workers, including children's home workers, have to register with the Social Care Register maintained by the General Social Care Council in England.

In Scotland, residential childcare workers must register with the Scottish Social Services Council. The register opened for managers in June 2005; for workers with supervisory responsibilities in October 2005; and for other residential childcare workers in June 2006.

Staff taking up a post in residential childcare can work towards a range of qualifications, such as the S/NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care. The Diploma in Social Work and equivalent qualifications are also relevant.

To become a residential childcare manager, workers need a practitioner qualification such as the S/NVQ Level 4 in Care, plus a manager's qualification. There is a range of acceptable qualifications, including the new Leadership and Management for Care Award and S/NVQ Level 4 Management qualification.

In Wales, residential childcare managers and childcare workers must register with the Care Council for Wales.

Residential childcare managers in Wales need a NVQ Level 4 Managers in Residential Child Care qualification, or a current childcare qualification and an acceptable management qualification. Residential childcare workers must be at least aged 18 and need an NVQ 3 Health and Social Care (Children and Young People's Pathway), or equivalent.

Sue Learner

MORE INFORMATION

British Association for Adoption & Fostering 020 7421 2600 www.baaf.org.uk

Care Council for Wales 029 2022 6257 www.ccwales.org.uk

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service 020 7510 7000 www.cafcass.gov.uk

Fostering Network 020 7620 6400 www.fostering.net

General Social Care Council 020 7397 5800 www.gscc.org.uk

Northern Ireland Social Care Council 028 9041 7600 www.niscc.info

Scottish Social Services Council 0845 60 30 891 www.sssc.uk.com

CASE STUDY

Liz Bishop, senior social worker, looked-after children's team, London Borough of Lambeth

Growing up on a farm in rural Berkshire is not the type of background you would associate with an inner-city social worker. But it was during Liz Bishop's formative years where she assisted at an educational centre based at the farm that she discovered she wanted to help people.

After completing her A-levels, Bishop went on to volunteer at a summer camp for young people. Unsure about what career to pursue, she decided to do a degree in anthropology. "I was interested in learning about societies and cultures and thought I could make decisions about jobs later," she says.

After graduating, Bishop worked unpaid for the Red Cross in London where she assisted disadvantaged families. But it was a chance visit to a fair in Brockwell Park, London, in 2001 that got her thinking about a career in social work. "There was a stand that said it was looking for people," she says. "I wrote to the council and it offered me an interview. I was then offered an assistant social work post, even though I didn't have much experience."

After working at the council for 10 months, she was offered the chance to study towards an approved General Social Care Council qualification in 2002. Because she already had a degree, she took an MA in Social Work. "I studied at Brunel University over two years," she says. "I found the course really useful for my day-to-day job."

Gaining approved social worker status in 2004 has opened many doors for Bishop. Since then she has moved from child protection and support, to referral assessment and two years ago joined the looked-after children team. "It's a very rewarding role," she says.