These case studies show how the core principles for continuing professional development (CPD) can be applied to professional development planning or training.
Each case study also includes supporting resources.
Thurrock, Southend on Sea and University of Essex Partnership
PDF - 117Kb
This case study shows how a reflective supervision programme can be designed and delivered across a partnership.
It focuses on a 'whole organisation' approach to giving and receiving reflective supervision, which includes e-learning.
It links to formal academic modules and builds on the development of an organisational policy framework. This includes links between the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), continuing professional development approach, career pathways, Centre for Workforce Intelligence (CFWI) supply and demand model, National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
South East London Social Work Reform group
PDF - 192Kb
This case study shows how workforce development initiatives can help to meet the organisational needs of restructuring a service.
It shows how learning from the programmes is used in future organisational development planning.
The impact of this programme was measured using a benefits realisation model and demonstrates partnership working across a number of employers and a university.
In-house courses were re-developed with input from the university and an optional academic accreditation was made available to participants.
Supporting resources
Social work practice and interpersonal skills in community empowerment course appendix
Social work practice and interpersonal skills in community empowerment course handbook
Adult CPD project programme handbook
Hertfordshire partnership
PDF - 245Kb
This case study shows how learning and assessment of an academic module can be linked to practice, supervision and appraisal.
The project focused on how employers and candidates were involved in the integration of critical reflection and analysis within the module.
Supporting resources
Electronic Impact Assessment tool - Questionnaire for social worker
Electronic impact assessment tool - Questionnaire for manager
Handbook on the principles and methods for employers to support reflective practice
Module assessment for safeguarding
North West London partnership
PDF - 454Kb
This case study shows how a partnership approach to CPD can provide an effective way of meeting the needs of a skilled social work workforce.
They used a health check and other skills audits to develop their continuing professional development programmes.
The case study focuses on new ways of delivering, assessing and measuring the impact of the activity.
Supporting resources
CPD pathway programme
Pre course self evaluation for adult safeguarding
Pre course self evaluation for practice and interpersonal skills
The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames
PDF - 156Kb
This case study shows a 'whole system' approach to social work workforce commissioning.
It builds on the development of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), to create an approach which incorporates the appraisal and performance management process. This includes the use of holistic assessment.
Supporting resources
Employer standards adult services action plan
Worcestershire/Herefordshire County Council
Document type - Size
This case study focuses on a regional partnership approach which includes a voluntary sector partner and local universities.
It shows how this approach can be cost effective in delivering academic awards where the university provides a shell module.
This CPD approach assesses practice and includes an optional academic award.
The module influenced and supported the integration of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) in supervision and appraisal. It also supported the development of reflective supervision and practice across the organisation.
Supporting resources
Candidate direct observation template
Testimonial about candidate's practice
Leeds Adult Social Care
PDF - 136Kb
This case study shows how a CPD programme can maximise learning and progression from the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
It includes a combination of different approaches to CPD which are internally managed and delivered in partnership with a university.
This provides a flexible programme that accommodates organisational and individual learning needs.
The case study focuses on work-based assessment which is an important part of linking holistic assessment to supervision and appraisal.
Supporting resources
Communication skills preparatory task
Outcome measurement framework impact assessment
Programme information
Team manager assessment form
Shropshire Council
PDF - 434Kb
This case study shows how principles of the mixed approach to CPD can create a generic framework for professional development planning.
It shows how the framework can be tailored with specific content for each social worker.
The programme addresses the workforce commissioning needs of the council and draws on the experience of a social work pilot within the authority.
It shows how the CPD programme has been developed in house and is linked to supervision and appraisal. The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) is used to identify the learning needs and measure the impact of the holistic assessment.
Supporting resources
Learning outcomes
Professional Capability Framework review and plan
Professional development plan for CPD
Shared learning programme CPD project
Learning programme