As we have reported in Social Work Connections before, the Social Work Reform Board (SWRB) has recommended the creation of an Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) as the final stage of becoming a social worker. Discussions about these proposals, how they will work and what they will mean for social workers are moving forward.
The Reform Board has considered the length of time appropriate to allow for completion of the ASYE. It is considering the proposal that newly qualified social workers should not take longer than two years to complete their ASYE successfully once they enter employment. This would allow flexibility for extension in cases of unsatisfactory progress, with the expectation that this should be limited to a maximum of 12 months in total, but would generally be expected to be considerably less.
In addition the Reform Board is considering the proposal that social work graduates wishing to begin their ASYE more than two years after graduation would need to demonstrate the currency of their skills and knowledge. This would mean that all social work graduates would have normally completed their ASYE within four years of graduating, including any time not in employment as a social worker.
Work is also continuing on the development of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). Statements are being developed which explain what is expected for each of the nine capabilities at each level of experience, as well as expectations for different employment settings and specialist areas. This work is also taking into account other developments such as the Munro Review and the new standards that social workers will have to meet under the HPC’s rules after the closure of the GSCC. The day-to-day work around the PCF has now been handed over to The College of Social Work with the SWRB taking a strategic overview.
The Social Work Reform Board is launching a newsletter. To subscribe, visit the Reform Board's website.
