Experienced social worker

1. PROFESSIONALISM

Identify and behave as a professional social worker, committed to professional development

Social workers are members of an internationally recognised profession. Our title is protected in UK law. We demonstrate professional commitment by taking responsibility for our conduct, practice, self-care and development. We seek and use supervision and other professional support. We promote excellent practice and challenge circumstances that compromise this. As representatives of the profession, we safeguard its reputation. We are accountable to people using services, the public, employers and the regulator. We take ethical decisions in the context of multiple accountabilities.

I…

am able to meet the requirements of the professional regulator
aim to be a role model for social work, set expectations for others and contribute to the public face of the organisation and/or profession
apply in practice and promote my understanding of social work as an international profession with a global definition supporting my professional identity, ethics and practice with diverse communities in England
expect and seek supervision that covers practice, organisational, leadership and management aspects of role, applying critical reflection throughout
model and help others to demonstrate professionalism and excellent practice
model and help others with effective workload management skills
model and help others to maintain professional/personal boundaries and skilled use of self
aware of my own professional limitations and knowledge gaps and seek to continuously develop across all domains of the PCF
establish a network of internal and external colleagues from whom to seek advice and expertise
contribute to creating and sustaining a learning environment for self, team and colleagues within and beyond social work. I may undertake Practice Educator training (see also capability 9)
recognise and seek ways to promote wellbeing and self-care for team and colleagues
promote up-to-date standards of excellent practice, identifying and helping resolve poor practice and promoting continuous improvement
understand my accountabilities and the dilemmas that can arise in complex contexts. I ensure the welfare, experience and outcomes of people using services are at the heart of my practice and decisions.

2. VALUES AND ETHICS

Apply social work ethical principles and value to guide professional practices

Social workers have an obligation to conduct themselves and make decisions in accordance with our Code of Ethics. This includes working in partnership with people who use our services. We promote human rights and social justice. We develop and maintain our understanding of the value base of our profession throughout our career, its ethical standards and relevant law.

I…

demonstrate confident and critical application of professional ethical principles (using the Code of Ethics) to decision-making and practice, supporting others to do so using a legal and human rights framework
model and support others to reflect on and manage the influence and impact of own values on professional practice and the skilled use of self
provide guidance and support to analyse, reflect on and work with ethical dilemmas
ensure my practice is underpinned by commitment to working in partnership with people who use services, carers, families, communities and networks, wherever possible. I negotiate and establish boundaries to underpin such partnership, using transparency and honesty
promote service user and carer participation in developing service delivery
promote and advance, wherever possible, an individual's right to autonomy and self-determination, providing support, guidance and challenge to others to promote human and citizenship rights and entitlements
demonstrate skills in the sensitive exploration of issues of confidentiality, privacy and information-sharing in complex or risky situations, offering support and guidance to colleagues in managing such dilemmas.

3. DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY

Recognise diversity and apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles in practice

Social workers understand that diversity characterises and shapes human experience and is critical to the formation of identity. Diversity is multi-dimensional and includes race, disability, class, economic status, age, sexuality, gender (including transgender), faith and belief, and the intersection of these and other characteristics. We understand that because of difference, and perception of difference, a person's life experience may include oppression, marginalisation and alienation as well as privilege, power and acclaim. We identify this and promote equality.

I…

inform, guide and model good practice in the application of understanding of identity, diversity and equality to practice; identifying and taking up issues when principles and legal requirements are contravened in my organisation or work setting
model critically reflective practice and support others to recognise and challenge discrimination, identifying and taking professional action
(individually or collectively) to challenge breaches and limitations in the ability of my own or others’ organisations to advance equality and diversity and comply with the law
demonstrate and model the effective and positive use of power and authority, whilst recognising and providing guidance to others to avoid oppressive practice.

4. RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING

Advance human rights and promote social justice and economic wellbeing

Social workers recognise and promote the fundamental principles of human rights, social justice and economic wellbeing enshrined in national and international laws, conventions and policies. These principles underpin our practice and we use statutory and case law effectively in our work. We understand and address the effects of oppression, discrimination and poverty. Wherever possible, we work in partnership with people using services, their carers and families, to challenge inequality and injustice, and promote strengths, agency, hope and self-determination.

I…

provide guidance and challenge to others about applying the principles of social justice, social inclusion and equality to decision-making
demonstrate ability to interpret and use current legislation and guidance to protect and/or advance people’s rights and entitlements, balancing use of different legislation to achieve the best outcomes; support colleagues (both inside and outside the organisation) to do so
am able to communicate legislative issues to other professionals and agencies
model best practice in applying human and civil rights, providing support to others and challenging where required
support others to enable individuals to access opportunities that may enhance their economic status (eg education, work, housing, health services and welfare benefits)
promote access to independent advocacy, ensuring best practice and critical review, and contribute to the evaluation of independent advocacy
promote and guide colleagues to support strengths, agency, hope and self- determination in people using services, carers, families and communities. I support them in raising their own challenges and finding solutions to inequality, social injustice and rights violations.

5. KNOWLEDGE

Develop and apply relevant knowledge from social work practice and research, social sciences, law, other professional and relevant fields, and from the experience of people who use services

We develop our professional knowledge throughout our careers and sustain our curiosity. As a unified profession, we develop core knowledge that relates to our purpose, values and ethics. We also develop specific knowledge needed for fields of practice and roles. Our knowledge comes from social work practice, theory, law, research, expertise by experience, and from other relevant fields and disciplines. All social workers contribute to creating as well as using professional knowledge. We understand our distinctive knowledge complements that of other disciplines to provide effective services.

I…

develop knowledge in one or more specialist areas of my practice. I continue to expand and consolidate my knowledge to inform connections between my specialisms and other settings or fields of practice
demonstrate knowledge and application of appropriate legal and policy frameworks and guidance that inform and mandate social work practice. Apply legal reasoning, using professional legal expertise and advice appropriately, recognising where scope for professional judgement exists
demonstrate, apply to practice and advise colleagues on a working knowledge of human growth and development throughout the life course
recognise the short and long-term impact of psychological, socio-economic, environmental and physiological factors on people’s lives, taking into account age and development, and how this informs practice
understand the value of systemic approaches and how they can be used to work with a person or family in their environment, social context and relationships, and inform my practice and that of others
have an advanced understanding of the centrality of relationships for people’s wellbeing and how to apply key concepts of attachment, separation, loss, change and resilience
apply my understanding of forms of harm and their impact on people and the implications for practice, drawing on concepts of strength, resilience, vulnerability, risk and resistance
demonstrate a critical knowledge of the range of theories and models for social work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities, and the methods derived from them, and have a more specialised understanding of models and approaches most critical to work setting or role
demonstrate and apply a critical understanding of social welfare policy, its evolution, implementation and impact on people, social work, other professions and inter-agency working
recognise the contribution and develop application of research and other evidence (eg practice evidence and evidence from experts by experience) to inform and improve my practice
demonstrate a critical understanding of research and evaluation methods
value and take account of the expertise of service users, carers and professionals and seek their feedback on my practice/role
confidently apply knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and risks of new technologies, digital resources, online communications, virtual environments and social media in social work.

6. CRITICAL REFLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Apply critical reflection and analysis to inform and provide a rationale for professional decision-making

Social workers critically reflect on their practice, use analysis, apply professional judgement and reasoned discernment. We identify, evaluate and integrate multiple sources of knowledge and evidence. We continuously evaluate our impact and benefit to service users. We use supervision and other support to reflect on our work and sustain our practice and wellbeing. We apply our critical reflective skills to the context and conditions under which we practise. Our reflection enables us to challenge ourselves and others, and maintain our professional curiosity, creativity and self-awareness.

I…

routinely and effectively apply critical reflection and analysis to increasingly complex cases and situations
draw on a wide range of evidence sources to inform decision-making
ensure hypotheses and options are reviewed to inform judgement and decision-making
demonstrate confidence and skills to provide professional opinion to social workers and other professionals
apply and encourage in others use of imagination, creativity and curiosity in practice, exploring options to solve dilemmas and problems. I involve people who use services in reflections and creativity wherever possible.

7. SKILLS AND INTERVENTIONS

Use judgement, knowledge and authority to intervene with individuals, families and communities to promote independence, provide support, prevent harm and enable

Social workers engage with individuals, families, and communities, working alongside people to determine their needs and wishes, and what action may be helpful. We build productive working relationships and communicate effectively. Using our professional judgement, we employ appropriate interventions, promoting self-determination, support, protection and positive change. We develop and maintain skills relevant to our roles. We understand and take account of power differentials and use our authority appropriately. We evaluate our own practice and its impact, and how we improve outcomes for those we work with.

I…

communicate skilfully and confidently in complex or high risk situations. I model and help others to develop excellent communication skills in diverse contexts
sustain and model engagement with people in fluctuating circumstances and capacities, including where there are negative responses, rejection of help, hostility and risk
be able to gather information quickly and effectively so as to inform judgement for interventions including in crises, and in response to challenge, or in the absence of complete/sufficient information
use assessment procedures discerningly to inform judgement
maintain and expand a range of frameworks for assessment and intervention
demonstrate skilled use of a range of frameworks for assessment and intervention
actively support, initiate and co-produce community groups and networks for the benefit of people using services, carers and families
support the development of professional groups and networks
contribute to the development of my organisation’s information strategy and systems
model and help others with appropriate information sharing
model and help others to manage changing circumstances
recognise and appropriately manage the authority inherent in your position
anticipate, assess and manage risk, including in complex cases, and support others to develop risk management skills
undertake assessment and planning for safeguarding in complex cases, and help others with safeguarding skills.

8. CONTEXTS AND ORGANISATIONS

Engage with, inform, and adapt to changing organisational contexts, and the social and policy environments that shape practice. Operate effectively within and contribute to the development of organisations and services, including multi-agency and inter-professional settings

Social workers are informed about and proactively respond to the challenges and opportunities that come from changing social, policy and work contexts. We fulfil this responsibility in accordance with our professional values and ethics, as individual and collective professionals and as members of the organisations in which we work. We collaborate, inform and are informed by our work with other social workers, other professions, individuals and communities.

I…

keep abreast of changing policy, political and professional contexts at local and national level, and take account of these in practice and my workplace
work effectively within my own organisation and identify and influence relationships between my organisation’s culture and procedures, the demands of practice and wider changes in my context (eg changes in local communities and wider society)
work to and explain the relevant legal structures in the organisation, including basic case law; I know when and how to access support and appropriate legal advice and consultation
explore, identify and communicate to supervisors, leaders and managers how organisational practice can improve to support better social work practice and citizen outcomes
keep abreast of changing roles and services in the organisation, recognise, value and engage with other specialist perspectives
am confident about my role in the team, working positively with others. I draw on and contribute to team working and collaborative support wherever possible and provide social work advice to support colleagues’ practice
take an active role in inter-professional and inter-agency work, building own network and collaborative working.

9. PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Promote the profession and good social work practice. Take responsibility for the professional learning and development of others. Develop personal influence and be part of the collective leadership and impact of the profession

We develop and show our leadership, individually and collectively, through promoting social work’s purpose, practices and impact. We achieve this through diverse activities, which may include: advancing practice, supervising, educating others, research, evaluation, using innovation and creativity, writing, using social media positively, being active in professional networks and bodies, contributing to policy and taking formal leadership/management roles. We promote organisational contexts conducive to good practice and learning. We work in partnership with people who use services and stakeholders in developing our leadership and aims for the profession.

I…

contribute to professional and organisational developments in my context, including developing skills to evaluate the value of new and existing models and interventions
promote and develop social work’s purpose, practice and impact within my organisation, with colleagues including those of other disciplines, and more widely where appropriate
play a leading role in practice development in the team and help sustain a learning culture
provide supervision to colleagues as required and appropriate, continuing to develop supervisory skills. I support others to manage and prioritise work
assess and manage the work of social work students and their ASYE
may undertake Practice Educator training Standards Stage 2: Domain B and C
contribute to collective/collaborative professional leadership through participating in or initiating purposeful peer support, social work forums, involvement in professional organisations and meetings within and/or outside my organisation
seek, plan and undertake ongoing professional development and use diverse platforms and opportunities for learning within and outside my organisation/work setting.