Learning and Development and Continuing Professional Learning within Adult Social Care is the golden thread in delivering sound, professional services.

Through our Professional Standards Academy (PSA), led by the Principal Social Worker, we believe we provide a sound framework of opportunities that enables our staff to begin, flourish and excel with us. We provide a blended learning approach to ensure staff deliver mandatory and core activities, supported with sound knowledge and skills, we invest in staff supervision, mentoring and coaching and we offer role specific professional development and career development opportunities in line with current service priorities.

Quality assurance of practice ensures our confidence in staff delivering excellence in their work with Bexley residents.

Induction

All Adult Social Care staff benefit from an approach to Induction that spells out what they need to know, understand and do within 6 months of joining us. The individual and their manager jointly own the plan. It includes supervision, shadowing, coaching and a range of blended learning

Newly Qualified Social Workers find the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment provides them with a fantastic opportunity to grow and develop in their first year of appointment to Social Work.

For information about ASYE, download the ASYE Process (PDF).

Continuing professional learning

In-house learning and development opportunities are commissioned in line with service delivery priorities. They are currently focussed on strengths-based approaches and safeguarding adults

All staff have access to a wide range of e-learning modules and resources via the Council’s e-learning systems Evolve, MeLearning and SCILS.

Making Research Count (MRC) is an initiative facilitating the dissemination of research findings between academics, practitioners, carers and users in the social care field. We subscribe to MRC thus enabling all staff to access many current and varied workshops throughout the year

Professional Qualifications and Apprenticeships

Bexley Adult Social Care has a history of supporting staff towards professional qualification and a great track record in retaining those we support in these ways.

Social Work

We have Social Work Apprentice roles within Adult Social Care and those appointed will undertake the BA Honours Degree in Social Work (Level 6) with Kingston University; we are also looking to create a pathway option for staff to undertake a relevant Level 3 Health and Social Care Qualification meaning those interested in applying to become Social Work Apprentices will have the opportunity to study at the required preparatory level as part of their continuing professional learning.

We also still offer access to the Open University Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work to staff who hold a degree in another subject and who are able to contribute towards the fees for this 18-month post-qualifying programme.

Occupational Therapy

We are looking forward to working with colleagues in Oxleas NHS Trust in taking forward opportunities to implement the BSc Honours Degree in Occupational Therapy as these develop on a Pan-London basis. As with the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship, we would create pathway options for staff to undertake relevant access/entry-level qualifications for this programme.

Post Qualifying Awards

Our investment in post-qualifying awards is both an expectation and an offer. We expect experienced Social Workers and Occupational Therapists to undertake BIA, PEPS, AMHP qualification to support our delivery of quality services in Bexley and such development supports personal progression within our professional frameworks.

There are also options open to all staff for possible employer sponsorship/part-sponsorship (subject to agreement and terms and conditions) across a range of specialisms. Examples of programmes recently completed include MSc Advanced Leadership and Management Pathway, MA in Advanced Social Work (Practice Education) and MA in Advanced Mental Health Practice.

Management roles in Bexley

We support experienced and high performing staff to progress to management positions, which may include working across health and social care. Increasingly managers are supported to access learning and development via Management and Leadership Apprenticeship Qualifications at a range of levels.

Coaching and Mentoring

Bexley Coaching and Mentoring Academy is a Council-wide offer providing access to a network of internal and external coaches and mentors

Increasingly, having access to a coach is considered essential for leaders, managers, and those who aspire to senior positions – or those who simply want to be more focused, effective, emotionally resilient, or to establish the right balance in their working lives.

This highly skilled network of people provides a confidential resource to support personal development, career progression and improved performance.

Download further information detailing the PSA Learning and Development and Career Pathways (PDF).

Download information on Bexley ASC Social Worker Career Framework (PDF).