Training and development for children's social workers
We invest in our employees to make sure you have the right skills and experience to provide a first class service to the people of Kent. We also expect a high standard of social work in return. To help you achieve this we have created clear practice standards covering our core social work activities.
We have developed a capability framework for registered workers based on the Professional Capabilities for Social Workers and College of Occupational Therapists' Post Qualifying Framework.
The aims of the framework are to:
- support you to develop capability in your profession
- enable you to progress in your career so that your expertise can be used in the best way possible for the people of Kent
- ensure that you can remain registered (as a social worker, occupational therapist or nurse)
- set out how we identify and promote talent through clearly articulated career pathways at all levels in the organisation.
We are proud of the development opportunities we offer in Kent and we are committed to offering high quality continuous professional development for all our staff.
The Kent Academy for the Children’s and Adults' Workforce is our dedicated platform where you will be thoroughly supported and encouraged to better your knowledge, skills and practice, no matter what role you hold within the service.
The academy is home to several faculties including Student, Professional Development and Research. It offers easy access to:
- training courses
- development programmes
- videos
- resources
- blogs
- research material, including Research in Practice and Community Care Inform.
In addition to a comprehensive strategic training and safeguarding framework we offer:
- annual conferences and masterclass events with keynote speakers
- joint events with health partners and police
- annual practice educator qualification
- new practice framework development programme – Change for Kent Children.
Our Practice Development Team offers excellent practice related training and support, virtual communities of practice and reflective workshops.
We actively encourage the use of apprenticeship training with a range of social care related apprenticeships available including the social work degree apprenticeship.
You will have professional responsibility to keep your knowledge and skills up to date in line with Social Work England's Continuing Professional Development requirements, and to continually strive to be the best practitioner you can be.
All newly qualified social workers joining Kent are part of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme. This means that during your first year of practice:
- you will have weekly supervision for the first 6 weeks, fortnightly supervision for the next 20 weeks and then supervision every 4 weeks after that
- you will have a job plan which ensures you have sufficient development time and a reduced caseload during your first year
- you will have access to 12 themed development sessions delivered by our dedicated practice educator team
- you will produce an online portfolio with the support of your ASYE supervisor or assessor
- your assessment will be matched against the capabilities of the newly qualified social worker level of the refreshed Professional Capabilities Framework and the Chief Social Worker's Knowledge and Skills Statement for Social Workers in Adult Services.
Join the team
We have vacancies in our social work teams throughout Kent. To find out more or be considered for the positions, register your interest or browse our vacancies using the button below.