Online tool for Newly Qualified Social Workers in adult services launched

News Release: 22 October 2010

A new easy to use resource tool for Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) in adult services was launched yesterday at a national conference organised by Skills for Care examining the future of social work.

The web tool is structured around the twelve outcome statements in the NQSW Framework aimed at providing NQSWs and their supervisors with easy access to relevant legislation, policy documents and evidence based research.

The online resource developed in partnership with the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) was formally launched by Skills for Care's Independent Chair Professor David Croisdale-Appleby in a keynote speech at the event.

Using this resource will encourage NQSWs to evidence their on-going learning providing easy access to knowledge which enables the development of evidence-based practice linked to their early experiences. The website will also help support formal supervision.

As well as launching the online resource delegates heard from Care Services Minister Paul Burstow MP who outlined the Department of Health's vision for social work, Moira Gibb who chairs the Social Work Reform Board and Jo Cleary, Chair of the ADASS Workforce Network as well as Skills for Care CEO Sharon Allen.

"I was delighted to launch this resource developed with SCIE as it demonstrates how partnership working can deliver an effective resource that underpins Skills for Care's ongoing commitment to supporting NQSWs in that vital first year of practice," says Professor David Croisdale-Appleby. 

Click here to access the tool - www.scie.org.uk/nqsw

Media enquiries:

Paul Clarke: 0113 241 1297 / 07977 519 287. paul.clarke@skillsforcare.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Skills for Care is the employment-led strategic body for workforce development in adult social care in England, which is licensed jointly with its UK allies by UKCES to be the 'Skills for Care and Development' Sector Skills Council (SSC). Both organisations are chaired by Professor David Croisdale-Appleby. The other members of the SSC are the Children's Workforce Development Council (also for England), the General Social Care Council, the Scottish Social Services Council, the Care Council for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
2. Skills for Care forms a strategic overview of workforce needs in adult social care, which accounts for more than1.6 million workers spread over spread over 40,600 establishments employing care staff. Skills for Care board members are drawn from groups representing public, private and voluntary sector care employers, along with representatives of staff, trainers, service users and informal carers. Social care includes residential care, domiciliary care and social work with all its specialisms.
3. Skills for Care and its SSC allies promote and develop the social care sector's National Occupational Standards which are statements of competence that describe 'best practice'.
4. Skills for Care regional committees are major brokers of funding for social care workforce development.
5. The National End of Life Care Programme supports the implementation of the Department of Health's End of Life Care Strategy. For more information visit the programme's website at www.endoflifecareforadults.nhs.uk or email information@eolc.nhs.uk