Apprenticeship training course

Social worker (integrated degree) (level 6)

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Information about Social worker (integrated degree) (level 6)

Protecting vulnerable children and adults from harm or abuse, and supporting adults to live independently.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • The importance of rights, responsibilities, freedom, authority and use of power.
  • The importance of maintaining, and the limits of, confidentiality.
  • That relationships with individuals and their carers should be based on respect, honesty and integrity.
  • How to develop relationships appropriately.
  • The impact of different cultures and communities and how this affects social work.
  • Current legal and ethical frameworks.
  • The concepts of participation, advocacy, co-production, involvement and empowerment.
  • The contribution that peoples’ own resources and strengths can bring to social work.
  • The impact of different societies' views on human behaviour.
  • The value of research and analysis and be able to evaluate evidence to inform practice.
  • That experiences and feelings affect behaviour in interactions.
  • Social work theory, models and interventions; human growth and development across the lifespan and the impact of key developmental stages and transitions.
  • The impact of injustice, demography, social inequality, policies and other issues which affect the demand for social work services.
  • How to update knowledge to ensure evidence informed practice.
  • The scope and limits of practice and when/how to seek advice from a range of sources.
  • Models of supervision, critical reflection and self-reflection to enhance/change practice.
  • Your employer’s organisational context and systems and the impact on your practice.
  • The concept of leadership and its application to practice.
  • The requirements of the relevant professional body.
  • Applicable safeguarding/health and safety legislation, policies and procedures.
  • How to maintain your own personal safety and that of others in complex situations.
  • Signs of harm, abuse and neglect and the importance of professional curiosity when these are observed and the appropriate risk assessment tools and processes to use.
  • The role of the Social Worker and roles of others within safeguarding, appropriate to levels of skills and experience.
  • The range of communication methods available to meet specific needs (both verbal and non-verbal)
  • The importance of the impact of verbal and non-verbal communication
  • How communication skills affect the assessment of, and engagement with, individuals and their families/carers
  • The range of factors that affect effective communication e.g., age, capacity, learning ability and physical ability.
  • The full range of interpersonal skills required to work with other professionals and agencies.
  • The different social and organisational contexts within which social work operates.
  • The applicable legislation, policies, and procedures
  • The principles of good recording and record keeping.
  • The types, and benefits, of assistive technology
  • How to use relevant software applications.
  • IT data sharing protocols.
  • The potential misuses of technology e.g., social media.

  Skills

  • Ensure professional ethical standards are developed, maintained and promoted.
  • Take responsibility for your decisions and recommendations.
  • Be aware of the impact of your own values on practice.
  • Exercise authority as a Social Worker within the appropriate legal and ethical frameworks.
  • Ensure the highest standard of person centred approach, so that people are treated with dignity and their rights, values and autonomy are respected.
  • Practise in a non-discriminatory manner.
  • Hear the views of people who use services, carers, their families and communities, recognise their expertise, and enable their views to have validity and influence.
  • Promote the best interests of people who use services, carers, their families and communities.
  • Work with people to enable them to make informed decisions and exercise their rights.
  • Work to promote individual growth, development and independence.
  • Undertake assessments of need and/or capacity.
  • Initiate resolution of issues and use initiative.
  • Gather, analyse, critically evaluate, and use research information and knowledge in your practice to develop an understanding of the individual’s situation.
  • Make and receive referrals appropriately.
  • Use social work methods, theories, and models to enable individuals to identify actions to achieve change and improve life opportunities.
  • Manage and weigh up competing/conflicting values or interests to make reasoned professional judgement.
  • Work within scope of practice as an autonomous professional.
  • Maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct.
  • Manage the physical and emotional impact of your practice.
  • Identify and apply strategies to build professional and emotional resilience.
  • Use supervision to support and enhance the quality of your practice.
  • Maintain your own health and well-being.
  • Recognise the need to manage workloads and resources effectively.
  • Keep your skills, knowledge and ongoing professional development up to date.
  • Show an awareness of current and relevant legislation.
  • Use a range of research methodologies to inform your practice.
  • Work in partnership with others
  • Balance appropriate levels of autonomy within a complex system of accountability
  • Respond appropriately to unexpected situations, identify and challenge practices which present a risk to, or from, people you are working with, their carers or others in order to uphold professional requirements.
  • Respond appropriately to signs of harm, abuse and neglect.
  • Establish and maintain personal and professional boundaries.
  • Follow health and safety policies and procedures.
  • Communicate in English at the level required by Social Work England.
  • Communicate your role and purpose sensitively and clearly, using appropriate language and methods.
  • Communicate in a way which is engaging, respectful, motivating, and effective, even when dealing with conflict or resistance to change.
  • Exercise professional curiosity.
  • Have difficult conversations with empathy.
  • Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
  • Engage with individuals and their families/carers and sustain effective relationships in order to effect change
  • Engage effectively in inter-professional and inter-agency working to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Support networks, groups, and communities to meet needs and outcomes.
  • Maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with applicable legislation, protocols, and guidelines.
  • Prepare formal reports in line with legislation, policies, and procedures.
  • Critically reflect on/review practice and record the outcomes of reflection appropriately.
  • Present reports in formal settings.
  • Use technology to manage your work.
  • Use technology to communicate appropriately.
  • Maintain individuals’ information security and protect data.
  • Advise people on how to use assistive technology.
  • Promote the use of technology to achieve better outcomes.

  Behaviours

  • Communicate openly, honestly and accurately. Listen to people and apply professional curiosity to evaluate and assess the information needed to provide quality advice, support, or care.
  • Treat people with compassion, dignity and respect and work together to empower positive change.
  • Adapt approach according to the situation and context.
  • Commit to continuous learning within social work, with curiosity and critical reflection.
  • Adhere to the Social Work England Standards of Conduct.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Care services
• Qualification level: 6; Equal to degree
• Course duration: 36 months
• Maximum funding: £23,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Social worker

View more information about Social worker (integrated degree) (level 6) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.