Every registered social worker must undertake continuous professional learning (CPL) to advance their professional development or contribute to the development of the profession
How do I meet my registration requirements?
As a newly qualified social worker (NQSW) you are required to undertake 24 days (144 hrs) training and learning. At least five days (30 hours) of this activity should focus on working effectively with colleagues and other professionals to identify, assess and manage risk to vulnerable groups. This is to ensure they can meet their primary responsibility of protecting children and adults from harm.
You can achieve this in several different ways including formal and informal learning. It is important to achieve a balance between formal learning, work experience, shadowing, research, self-directed learning, supervision and experiential learning when evidencing the stated requirements.
Activities could include:
- induction activities, shadowing colleagues, team meetings, supervision
- completing specific formal and informal training courses
- professional discussions with colleagues, other professionals and people who use services
- self-directed learning including reading, independent study, online research/study
- experiential, action or enquiry-based learning
- leading or engaging in practitioner enquiry/action research.
When recording your learning reflect on the impact of your learning experience. Think about how it has helped to consolidate your social work knowledge, skills and values, including managing any ethical dilemmas and use of self. This is how you will most effectively demonstrate the requirements and provide a useful record of your progress during the NQSW period to refer to later.
Please read the Guidance for NQSW on consolidating and continuing to develop their social work knowledge, skills and values for more useful information before your start.
How do I record my training and learning?
We’re currently reviewing the process for NQSWs and you can find out more on the NQSW web page.
Until we conclude the review you should record your training and learning by completing the NQSW Record of Achievement form and submitting it when we ask you to.
If you have any further questions about your CPL please use the web form on our Contact us page or phone 0345 60 30 891.
SSSC learning resources
We have lots of free learning resources on our Learning Zone to help you. You can search by topic and there are Open Badges for many, which are a way of gaining recognition for your learning.
We’d like to hear your views on our resources and if they have supported your professional development. Please click here to answer some short questions.