Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Lead
Wiltshire Council
The closing date is 02 October 2024
Job summary
Salary:£40,221 - £42,403
Hours per week:37 hours
Temporary/Fixed term:12 months
Interview date:Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024
Adult Social Care - Transforming Lives
Embark on the initial phase of your social work management journey by applying for this 12-month position within the Adult Social Care service. This opportunity is perfect for those aspiring to enhance their expertise and capabilities, paving the way for a transition into a managerial role.
Main duties of the job
As the Social Work Apprentice Development Lead, you will be responsible of developing and coordinating of Social Workapprentice placements across Adult Social Care. You'll be responsible for guiding and monitoring their development over 12 months, carefully reviewing their portfolios and observing their professional practice to ensure growth and proficiency in the field.
Your main goal is to empower these social workers to reach their full potential and ensure high-quality service delivery. Responsibilities include supervising, promoting development, and modelling best practices to cultivate a high-performance culture.
We count on you to be an excellent role model, setting high expectations for yourself and others. Your role involves showcasing outstanding practice and inspiring others to follow suit. To qualify, you must be a registered social worker with Social Worker England registration, possessing a minimum of 3 years of post-qualification experience. Demonstrating your ability to coach, mentor, or supervise other students or social workers is essential.
About us
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.
We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.
Date posted
19 September 2024
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£40,221 to £42,403 a year
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
F0041-24-0144
Job locations
County Hall
Bythesea Rd
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Lead reports to the Principal Social Worker and works closely with the OD Apprenticeship Consultant, OD Practice Education Role and wider team to develop, facilitate, co-ordinate and evaluate the quality of learning provision across the Social Work Apprenticeship programme. This role will line manage the Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Co-Ordinator. The role will develop and maintain strong connections with universities who offer the Social Work Apprenticeship programme and will evaluate the available programmes to ensure a high calibre and quality of learning for practitioners undertaking the apprenticeship within Wiltshire Council.
The role will be focused on the overall leadership of the development and coordination of the increasing Social Work Apprenticeships across Adult Social Care under the direction and supervision of the Principal Social Worker. As well as the practice education of Apprentices through direct observations, assessments, supervisions and other development opportunities required for Social Work Apprentices throughout their qualifying programme. Specific duties and responsibilities include:
To use expert knowledge to lead, develop and evaluate the recruitment process for Social Work Apprenticeships in partnership with the Principal Social Worker and OD Apprenticeship Consultant.
To work alongside the Principal Social workers and OD Officers to ensure that apprentices receive the best possible support and assessment, coordinating a joined-up program of development across the services themselves, using expertise and judgment to ensure processes are streamlined, give value for money and learning outcomes are achieved.
To work in partnership OD Consultants to oversee and manage the coordination and administration of placements for apprentices in consultation with the services, making complex decisions about matching apprentices with placements, while dealing with conflicting requirements or opinions, using personal and negotiation skill to achieve a high level of successful placements.
To develop and build strong relationships with higher education institutions (HEI) as the link professional to ensure that Wiltshire can obtain a consistent high standard of Social Work education via the apprenticeship program.
To represent Wiltshire Council and Adult Social Care when attending meetings with HEI, regional and national groups. Ensuring to share knowledge and raise issues, where required, using influence and judgment to achieve business aims and the best outcomes for apprentices.
To collate, review and evaluate Social Work Apprenticeship programs across HEIs to continue to develop and innovate the apprenticeship offered within Adult Social Care.
To develop, manage and evaluate the Social Work Apprenticeship programme within Adult Social Care
To lead and develop a process to ensure that observations, assessment supervisions and other related activities are taking place in a timely manner and alerting the Principal Social Worker and OD Consultant when issues around quality of practice are identified. Addressing these with the HEI provider.
To work with the OD Officers and Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Co-Ordinator to oversee the planning and implementation of Apprenticeship support groups, developing a process to ensure that these occur regularly and that the needs of apprentices are met and evidenced.
To ensure and promote the use of Customer Voice throughout the Social Work Apprenticeship program.
To understand and support different apprenticeship programs offered within Adult Social Care and the requirements to undertake. OS12-2703 Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Lead June 2024 Page 5 of 9
To promote the Social Work Apprenticeship across Adult Social Care.
To lead in the production of reporting, and analysis of complex data, including quality assurance data to identify targets, researching areas for development which may have a broad impact both internally and externally for partner organizations, to support strategic business planning.
To direct the work of colleagues to provide administrative support to the process of Social Work Apprenticeships, particularly in collating and providing accurate records to track progress of apprenticeships, providing oversight, and mentoring to ensure all associated programme administration is completed accurately and on time.
To provide the lead Practice Educator role to Apprentice Social Workers via practice and professional leadership, support, and supervision.
To develop a process and lead in the undertaking of observations and assessment of Apprentices/students across their qualifying journey, discussing with the appropriate services and teams, obtaining customer voice and using professional judgement throughout the process, with the support of the Social Work Apprenticeship Development Co-Ordinator.
Through liaison with other managers and professionals, build positive working relationships to ensure effective joint working practices.
To work closely with the OD Consultant for Social Care and Principal Social Worker to collaboratively provide sector and occupational expertise in social care to colleagues and maintain current awareness of research and developments in social care (e.g., policy changes, national legislation, regulations etc.).
To develop and deliver the training to develop shared quality standards, to provide sector and occupational expertise in relation to area of specialism across adults services and occasionally to support new business development activity.
To lead and support OD Consultants and team managers, where necessary, with the ongoing recruitment process of an Apprentice to an NQSW post qualifying from the programme.
To line manage the Social Work Apprenticeship Development Co-Ordinator
To ensure one's own practice is informed by up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and best practice feeds into policies and processes to ensure high quality standards are maintained.
To operate within Council Policies and keep regularly updated with social work methods, new legislation, and procedures, including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and Human Rights Act 1998.
To uphold standards of practice for social workers as defined by Social Work England and in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Workers.
To maintain and develop an understanding of the role of a Social Work Apprentice, the requirements they need to achieve to successful pass the course and identify, evaluate and consolidate where further development of training or support is required to support this.
To be committed to anti-discriminatory and oppressive practice.
Where required, to raise performance issues in relation to an apprentice to the Principal Social Worker and OD Consultant for review and discussion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Lead reports to the Principal Social Worker and works closely with the OD Apprenticeship Consultant, OD Practice Education Role and wider team to develop, facilitate, co-ordinate and evaluate the quality of learning provision across the Social Work Apprenticeship programme. This role will line manage the Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Co-Ordinator. The role will develop and maintain strong connections with universities who offer the Social Work Apprenticeship programme and will evaluate the available programmes to ensure a high calibre and quality of learning for practitioners undertaking the apprenticeship within Wiltshire Council.
The role will be focused on the overall leadership of the development and coordination of the increasing Social Work Apprenticeships across Adult Social Care under the direction and supervision of the Principal Social Worker. As well as the practice education of Apprentices through direct observations, assessments, supervisions and other development opportunities required for Social Work Apprentices throughout their qualifying programme. Specific duties and responsibilities include:
To use expert knowledge to lead, develop and evaluate the recruitment process for Social Work Apprenticeships in partnership with the Principal Social Worker and OD Apprenticeship Consultant.
To work alongside the Principal Social workers and OD Officers to ensure that apprentices receive the best possible support and assessment, coordinating a joined-up program of development across the services themselves, using expertise and judgment to ensure processes are streamlined, give value for money and learning outcomes are achieved.
To work in partnership OD Consultants to oversee and manage the coordination and administration of placements for apprentices in consultation with the services, making complex decisions about matching apprentices with placements, while dealing with conflicting requirements or opinions, using personal and negotiation skill to achieve a high level of successful placements.
To develop and build strong relationships with higher education institutions (HEI) as the link professional to ensure that Wiltshire can obtain a consistent high standard of Social Work education via the apprenticeship program.
To represent Wiltshire Council and Adult Social Care when attending meetings with HEI, regional and national groups. Ensuring to share knowledge and raise issues, where required, using influence and judgment to achieve business aims and the best outcomes for apprentices.
To collate, review and evaluate Social Work Apprenticeship programs across HEIs to continue to develop and innovate the apprenticeship offered within Adult Social Care.
To develop, manage and evaluate the Social Work Apprenticeship programme within Adult Social Care
To lead and develop a process to ensure that observations, assessment supervisions and other related activities are taking place in a timely manner and alerting the Principal Social Worker and OD Consultant when issues around quality of practice are identified. Addressing these with the HEI provider.
To work with the OD Officers and Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Co-Ordinator to oversee the planning and implementation of Apprenticeship support groups, developing a process to ensure that these occur regularly and that the needs of apprentices are met and evidenced.
To ensure and promote the use of Customer Voice throughout the Social Work Apprenticeship program.
To understand and support different apprenticeship programs offered within Adult Social Care and the requirements to undertake. OS12-2703 Social Work Apprenticeship and Development Lead June 2024 Page 5 of 9
To promote the Social Work Apprenticeship across Adult Social Care.
To lead in the production of reporting, and analysis of complex data, including quality assurance data to identify targets, researching areas for development which may have a broad impact both internally and externally for partner organizations, to support strategic business planning.
To direct the work of colleagues to provide administrative support to the process of Social Work Apprenticeships, particularly in collating and providing accurate records to track progress of apprenticeships, providing oversight, and mentoring to ensure all associated programme administration is completed accurately and on time.
To provide the lead Practice Educator role to Apprentice Social Workers via practice and professional leadership, support, and supervision.
To develop a process and lead in the undertaking of observations and assessment of Apprentices/students across their qualifying journey, discussing with the appropriate services and teams, obtaining customer voice and using professional judgement throughout the process, with the support of the Social Work Apprenticeship Development Co-Ordinator.
Through liaison with other managers and professionals, build positive working relationships to ensure effective joint working practices.
To work closely with the OD Consultant for Social Care and Principal Social Worker to collaboratively provide sector and occupational expertise in social care to colleagues and maintain current awareness of research and developments in social care (e.g., policy changes, national legislation, regulations etc.).
To develop and deliver the training to develop shared quality standards, to provide sector and occupational expertise in relation to area of specialism across adults services and occasionally to support new business development activity.
To lead and support OD Consultants and team managers, where necessary, with the ongoing recruitment process of an Apprentice to an NQSW post qualifying from the programme.
To line manage the Social Work Apprenticeship Development Co-Ordinator
To ensure one's own practice is informed by up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and best practice feeds into policies and processes to ensure high quality standards are maintained.
To operate within Council Policies and keep regularly updated with social work methods, new legislation, and procedures, including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and Human Rights Act 1998.
To uphold standards of practice for social workers as defined by Social Work England and in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Workers.
To maintain and develop an understanding of the role of a Social Work Apprentice, the requirements they need to achieve to successful pass the course and identify, evaluate and consolidate where further development of training or support is required to support this.
To be committed to anti-discriminatory and oppressive practice.
Where required, to raise performance issues in relation to an apprentice to the Principal Social Worker and OD Consultant for review and discussion.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant relevant professional experience post qualification in a similar work environment.
- Expert knowledge in the area of specialism.
- Expert knowledge of relevant policy, systems, work practices, professional guidelines, legislation
- and a good understanding of emerging developments in the area of specialism.
- Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
- Knowledge and experience of developing systems, policies, procedures and / or practices.
- Good knowledge of the wider sector / external influences.
- Detailed operational knowledge of systems in terms of functionality, capability and availability.
- Excellent interpersonal, persuasion, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills, with proven ability to prioritise and co-ordinate
- workloads, monitor and evaluate work, to ensure deadlines are achieved.
- Proven ability to apply initiative and strategic awareness to problem solving and decision making.
- Ability to lead projects with service / organisation impact.
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified social worker; registered with Social Work England
- Practice Educator (PEPs) trained, and/or experience as an ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in
- Employment) Assessor.
- Evidence of professional development including contributing to the development and learning of others
- individually and as part of a team.
- Experience of assessing social worker student placements and/or ASYE SWs and coordination
- Experience of working in partnership with service users, other professionals and agencies
- Experience of undertaking and applying research to inform practice.
- Experience of undertaking supervision of staff.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills both verbally and in writing.
- Good strategic and practical awareness of social work-related policy
- Flexible approach to the design and delivery of organizational and bespoke programmes to suit a range
- of stakeholder requirements balancing a number of significant demands and considerations.
- Experience of diverse working environments
- Good time management and ability to work using own initiative, to cope with conflicting and changing
- demands, applying a pragmatic approach to planning and prioritizing workloads to achieve results
- under pressure.
- Experience of supporting people through change, developing, and implementing practice, policy and
- systems by applying your expert experience and knowledge of emerging developments to make
- recommendations.
- Experience of line management, supervision, appraisal, and professional development of staff.
- Able to demonstrate independent critical judgement, to solve problems in complex and unpredictable
- situations and to effectively manage conflict.
- Able to communicate effectively with people at all levels with positive and person- centered
- approaches, including via written reports.
- Experience of planning, chairing, and contributing to meetings.
- Expert knowledge of social care legislation and policy as it relates to social workers and the wider
- social care team, including mental capacity and safeguarding adults and ability to undertake
- consultation role for case holding social workers.
- Takes responsibility for own professional development and commitment to evidenced based practice.
- Experience of Microsoft Office and ICT systems, good understanding, and proven ability to use
- database information systems.
- Fluent in English
Desirable
- Experience of designing and delivering training programmes
- Experience in auditing and/or engagement in research.
- Experience in monitoring financial spending.
- Specialist knowledge or experience transferable to this role.
- Coaching/Mentoring qualification
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant relevant professional experience post qualification in a similar work environment.
- Expert knowledge in the area of specialism.
- Expert knowledge of relevant policy, systems, work practices, professional guidelines, legislation
- and a good understanding of emerging developments in the area of specialism.
- Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
- Knowledge and experience of developing systems, policies, procedures and / or practices.
- Good knowledge of the wider sector / external influences.
- Detailed operational knowledge of systems in terms of functionality, capability and availability.
- Excellent interpersonal, persuasion, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills, with proven ability to prioritise and co-ordinate
- workloads, monitor and evaluate work, to ensure deadlines are achieved.
- Proven ability to apply initiative and strategic awareness to problem solving and decision making.
- Ability to lead projects with service / organisation impact.
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified social worker; registered with Social Work England
- Practice Educator (PEPs) trained, and/or experience as an ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in
- Employment) Assessor.
- Evidence of professional development including contributing to the development and learning of others
- individually and as part of a team.
- Experience of assessing social worker student placements and/or ASYE SWs and coordination
- Experience of working in partnership with service users, other professionals and agencies
- Experience of undertaking and applying research to inform practice.
- Experience of undertaking supervision of staff.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills both verbally and in writing.
- Good strategic and practical awareness of social work-related policy
- Flexible approach to the design and delivery of organizational and bespoke programmes to suit a range
- of stakeholder requirements balancing a number of significant demands and considerations.
- Experience of diverse working environments
- Good time management and ability to work using own initiative, to cope with conflicting and changing
- demands, applying a pragmatic approach to planning and prioritizing workloads to achieve results
- under pressure.
- Experience of supporting people through change, developing, and implementing practice, policy and
- systems by applying your expert experience and knowledge of emerging developments to make
- recommendations.
- Experience of line management, supervision, appraisal, and professional development of staff.
- Able to demonstrate independent critical judgement, to solve problems in complex and unpredictable
- situations and to effectively manage conflict.
- Able to communicate effectively with people at all levels with positive and person- centered
- approaches, including via written reports.
- Experience of planning, chairing, and contributing to meetings.
- Expert knowledge of social care legislation and policy as it relates to social workers and the wider
- social care team, including mental capacity and safeguarding adults and ability to undertake
- consultation role for case holding social workers.
- Takes responsibility for own professional development and commitment to evidenced based practice.
- Experience of Microsoft Office and ICT systems, good understanding, and proven ability to use
- database information systems.
- Fluent in English
Desirable
- Experience of designing and delivering training programmes
- Experience in auditing and/or engagement in research.
- Experience in monitoring financial spending.
- Specialist knowledge or experience transferable to this role.
- Coaching/Mentoring qualification
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Wiltshire Council
Address
County Hall
Bythesea Rd
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
Wiltshire Council
Address
County Hall
Bythesea Rd
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
Employer's website
For questions about the job, contact:
Date posted
19 September 2024
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£40,221 to £42,403 a year
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
F0041-24-0144
Job locations
County Hall
Bythesea Rd
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN