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Navigating the Social Work Profession: Insight from New Graduates

A comprehensive study funded by the Department of Health in 2011, exploring the experiences of recent social work graduates entering the workforce. The research delves into areas such as job satisfaction, challenges faced, and support needed, offering valuable insights for both newcomers and employers in the field. The publication aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world practice, shedding light on key areas of improvement and providing guidance for a successful career in social work.

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Navigating the Social Work Profession: Insight from New Graduates

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  1. INTO THE WORKFORCE • A study of new social work graduates • Funded under the Department of Health • Social Care Workforce Research Initiative • Published 2011 • -6 intake

  2. DATA SOURCES •  Online surveys • 302 first-year graduates in 2008/9 • (of whom 133 responded again in 2009/10) • 162 first-year graduates in 2009/10 • 56 Directors of Children’s or Adult services • (compared against responses from 47 Directors in 2006) •  Face-to-face • 23 interviews with line managers of new social work graduates • Five focus groups with senior educators • Two focus groups with service users and carers •  Analytical abilities

  3. THE GOOD NEWS • Almost all NQSWs enjoying their jobs • Two-thirds believe they are ‘making a real difference to the wellbeing of service users’ • rising over time •  Self-evaluation improving over time •  Three-quarters overall feel well-prepared by their degree studies • depends on workplace! •  Strong, persistent altruistic motivations generally fulfilled by social work practice •  Stimulating and varied work day-to-day also key benefits • a worthwhile job

  4. APPLYING FOR A JOB:SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR • Supportive line manager •  Friendly team •  Respect for social work values  opinions and wishes of service users and carers •  Contact time •  building constructive relationships •  Organisational culture that encourages sharing of knowledge and expertise

  5. APPLYING FOR A JOB:QUESTIONS TO ASK • Supervision policy • minimum monthly for experienced workers • more frequently for NQSWs •  opportunity for reflection • Employer Induction programme for all new social care workers • processes and procedures • IT • Personal Development Plan • Effective inter-agency liaison •  Information about local services and resources • Few unfilled vacancies

  6. SUPPORT FOR NQSWs •  Reflective supervision (possibly additional sessions) • Reduced caseload, less complex cases • Protected development time •  Shadowing • more experienced SWs • other professionals •  Joint-working with more experienced colleagues on more complex, high-risk cases • Peer supervision • Practice observation

  7. GAPS IN NSQW KNOWLEDGE • “Wish you knew more about?” • dealing with hostility, aggression or conflict • assessing risk •  “Expected to know more than you did?” • preparing reports for legal proceedings •  child protection •  adult protection/safeguarding •  mental health conditions and their likely progress •  refugees and asylum seekers

  8. TENSIONS ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS READINESS TO PRACTISE • EducatorsEmployers • Broad base of Functionally ready • transferable abilities • Expectations have risen since introduction of social work degree • especially in Children’s services • But general agreement about requirements  interpersonal skills  communication skills  analytical abilities  values NQSWs

  9. WHAT YOU SHOULD OFFER •  Personal resilience •  Keenness to learn, develop and improve •  Reflectiveness and self-awareness •  Responsive to service users, especially in times of crisis •  Empathy • Up-to-date knowledge of legislation and policy • your legal remit as a social worker • Good writing skills •  Analytical abilities

  10. FINALTHOUGHTS •  Creating relationships depends on good communications • Remember the theory you learned at university • how are you putting theory into practice? •  what help can you find? •  understanding situations from a theoretical perspective • Respect the skills, expertise and responsibilities of other professionals •  You are entitled to look for opportunities to increase and develop your knowledge and skills • a gradual and never-ending process

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