JSWEC Conference Cambridge, 2008 Tracking the needs of newly-qualified social workers

1. JSWEC Conference Cambridge, 2008Tracking the needs of newly-qualified social workers Helen Donnellan, University of Plymouth

2. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Study sample

3. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Findings “You do your two years in the trenches …. and then move out” “A lot of the innovative work isn’t being done by local authorities” [NQSW] Key Themes • Transitional change • Developing confidence and job satisfaction • Working within the organisational structures • Finding support • Progression and career pathways

4. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Transitional change “ I don’t think any training could really prepare you for this job ... ever” [ NQSW]

5. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Developing confidence and job satisfaction ‘ …when you come back here qualified, you’re given a caseload and that’s the difference, you are responsible and the buck stops with you and that leaves a different feeling inside’ [NQSW] • The ‘reality shock’ • Being individually accountable • Balancing care and control • Taking a ‘care management’ approach

6. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Working within the organisational structures “ You spend all your time thinking about how you’re going to get through this system and how to record it and make a square peg fit into a round hole..” [NQSW] “ It isn’t as though I haven’t done the work, the work has been done, I just haven’t got the time to write it all up every day” [NQSW] • ‘Direct work’ with service users • Roles and tasks • Managing bureaucracy • Using IT

7. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Finding support “ There’s plenty of days when I’m laying in bed and I’ve got that knot in my stomach, and what I don’t like about this job is that no matter how much you do, you can never do enough … and that is kind of hard to live with.” [NQSW] “Brilliant! I will say the one thing that seems to hold social services together is the team, the team camaraderie, the support that everyone gets. You do feel part of something.” [NQSW] • Coping with stress and exhaustion • Support for practice • Support for learning

8. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Progression and career pathways “ Overall, there’s a good level of training offered. It’s a bit hit and miss though who gets on it and who doesn’t” [NQSW] “There’s a need for personal development stuff. You know, what’s the next step as a social worker, what direction do you want to go in? And for some training to be available to pursue that. I think some sort of ‘aspiring management training’ would be useful” [Line manager] • Continuing professional development • Personal Development Plans • Support for first line managers • Organisational communication and cohesion

9. Tracking the needs of newly- qualified social workers Acknowledgements Donnellan, H., Jack, G., Grose, J., Gilbert, A., (2007) PQ Evaluation Project - Stage I, Final Report to the Peninsula Child Care Programme Partnership Board Donnellan, H., Jack, G., (2008) PQ Evaluation Project – Stage II, Final Reportto Skills for Care PQ Innovations Fund (Round 2) Enquiries to: Helen Donnellan, RE:Search south-west, Applied Psychosocial Studies, Faculty of Health & Social Work, Centre Court, Exeter Street, University of Plymouth PL4 8AA Tel: 01752 586711 E-Mail: helen.donnellan@plymouth.ac.uk