Table of Contents
Social Work Training Board
The Social Work Training Board is responsible for leading and coordinating the development and implementation of a learning and development strategy informed by Social Work principles and values, which develops professional, safe practice resulting in a competent and confident workforce. Specific objectives:
- To identify and agree learning and development priorities to support workforce development
- To support and inform Improvement and Organisational Development staff
- To disseminate training information to staff within respective services
- To lead and co-ordinate learning and development within the service
- To deliver relationships and shared learning and development initiatives with other statutory and voluntary agencies in Argyll and Bute
- To approve Further Education Studies – Course Request Forms – IOD1
- To co-ordinate practice learning.
The board is made up of representatives from social work (head of service, service managers, criminal justice manager, representatives from adult care and children and families), NHS and learning and development and meets every 2 months.
We provide training to motivate and develop a competent, confident, skilled and qualified Social Services workforce, capable of meeting the current and future demands of the services and making a positive difference to the lives of people in Argyll and Bute.
Social Work Courses
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Social Workers, Mental Health Officers, Youth Workers, Family and Carers, Education and General Practitioners
Course Overview:
This course provides delegates with an understanding of addictions, substance misuse and legal highs and the risks and signs linked to drug and alcohol abuse.
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Admin staff who may be required to organise and minute an adult protection case conference. It is expected that staff attending will have already completed the general minute taking course.
Course overview:
The session will focus on the specific requirements of minute taking an adult protection case conference
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Social workers in adult care, home carers and workers in residential care home
This course provides delegates with an understanding of the Adults with Incapacity Act
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Staff who manage cases or who have on-going contact with adults who may be vulnerable to harm and need to be aware of their responsibilities in accordance with the Act.
Course overview:
The day’s training focuses on the main elements of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and roles of staff in the various agencies engaged in adult protection. It covers dealing with an adult protection referral, undertaking an adult protection investigation and the on-going support and protection of an adult at risk of harm.
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Staff member who works with the public and may come across an adult at risk of harm and needs to be aware of how to report harm.
Course overview:
The sessions focus on the main elements of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and highlight the nature and extent of harm in Scotland today. The sessions also provide staff with support in identifying concerns and in dealing with situations where an individual may disclose to them that they are being harmed
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Face to Face
Duration: 5 days
Target delegation:
Social Workers and Managers who are required to carry out or manage joint investigative interviews.
Course overview:
Social workers should have at least 1 year post qualifying experience of working in a childcare setting and have completed the Basic Child Protection Course or its equivalent.
Face to Face
Duration: 2 days
Target delegation:
All staff who are regularly required to move and handle people in the course of their employment duties. This is mandatory training.
Course overview:
This will provide delegates with information and skills that will help them to deal with manual handling issues more safely.
Face to Face
Duration: 1 day
Target delegation:
All staff who are regularly required to move and handle people in the course of their employment duties. This is mandatory training and should be undertaken annually.
Course overview:
This will provide delegates with information and skills that will help them to deal with manual handling issues safely
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Care home staff and home carers
Course overview:
This will give delegates a greater understanding of palliative care (sometimes also referred to as ‘end-of-life care’ or ‘care of the dying’).
E-Learning
Duration: Approx. 1 – 1½ Hours
Target delegation:
All employees who are likely to come into contact with children, young people and other family members and need to have the confidence and awareness to recognise when a child or young person may be in need of protection, and know how to respond.
Course overview:
This module offers essential information on child protection issues for people who need basic level information in recognising and reporting situations where there might be a need for protection.
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Community Services Admin and Finance staff including Residential Unit and Day Service Staff, Education and Children and Families.
Course overview:
This course provides delegates with a general understanding of what Self Directed Support is.
Face to Face
Target delegation:
This is mandatory for all Social Work front line practitioners including Care Managers, Assistant Care Managers, Team Leads and Area Managers.
Course overview:
This course provides delegates with an understanding of the mechanics of Direct Payments
Face to Face
Target delegation:
Public, private and voluntary sector staff members who have day to day contact with women and children
Course overview:
This course provides delegates with an understanding of the causes and effects of violence against women and highlights the different forms of violence that women, children and young people experience. You will also be the opportunity to explore how the needs of women, children and young people who experience gender based violence are met.
Social Work Degree and Foundation Courses
Open University Foundation Courses K101 and DD102
The Social Work Training Board have agreed to sponsor a number of employees to undertake the Open University Foundation Courses K101 and DD102. Expressions of interest will be sought from employees towards the end of April each year.
Staff wishing to undertake K101 or DD102 must be on a permanent contract in a Social Work setting. Nominations must be supported by their Line Manager.
This nomination is not sponsorship for the Degree but is with a view to candidates who have successfully completed these courses having the opportunity to apply for Degree sponsorship at a later stage.
Staff may wish to undertake one of these courses in order to enhance their personal and professional development without obligation to pursue the subsequent stages of the Degree.
To find out more about the Open University Foundation Courses please contact Sharon Atkinson, Learning and Development Officer. Sharon.atkinson@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01546 605513 option 3.
Open University BA (Hons) Degree in Social Work Scotland
The Social Work Training Board have agreed to sponsor two employees each year to undertake the Open University BA (Hons) Degree in Social Work Scotland. Expressions of interest will be sought from employees towards the end of April each year.
In order to be eligible for nomination, employees must be on a permanent contract with Argyll and Bute Council, be working in a Social Work setting and have the support from their Line Manager. They must possess relevant academic qualifications and undergo a selection process delegated by the Open University.
This is a 4 Stage Degree – Stage I contains the foundation courses- K101/DD102 or other credit transferable qualifications.
Successful applicants will be sponsored through Stages 2, 3 and 4 with a requirement to work for this authority for a further two years.
The course includes two 100 day compulsory social work placements which require staff to be absent from their present post during this time. One of the placements will be outwith Argyll and Bute.
To find out more about the Open University BA (Hons) Degree in Social Work Scotland please contact Sharon Atkinson, Learning and Development Officer. Sharon.atkinson@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01546 605513 option 3
Practice Learning
Professional Development Award in Practice Learning (PDAPL)
The Professional Development Award in Practice Learning (PDAPL) is a professional qualification for those who wish to become a Practice Teacher. The award aims to equip candidates with the skills and knowledge to support the learning and professional development of others, and to contribute to the development of learning cultures within social services.
The award consists of 8 units at SQCF Level 10 (Honours Degree Level). Candidates are supported throughout the programme.
Applicants should hold a degree in Social Work or an equivalent qualification to apply for this qualification.
Link Workers
Link Workers are individuals who could support Social Work students on a day to day basis where there is an offsite practice teacher. This course is often a precursor to the PDAPL an opportunity for those interested in Practice teaching.
To find out more about the Professional Development Award in Practice Learning or becoming a Link Worker please contact Sharon Atkinson, HR&OD, Learning and Development Officer Sharon.atkinson@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01546 605513 option 3.
You can use the request for learning and development form to apply for this course.
Request for Learning and Development
This form should be used by all employees to request any Learning and Development that is a professional qualification. This form provides evidence of the need for development and support of the employee’s line manager.