The Irish Association of Social Workers Continuing Professional Development Policy

Section 1 of the IASW CPD Folder The Irish Association of Social Workers Continuing Professional Development Policy Scope of the CPD policy: Relates to all Members of the Irish Association of Social Workers Version: December 2012 Review due 2014 Index of Contents Part 1 Part 2 1:1 1.2 2:1 2:2 2:3 2:4 2:5 2:6 2:7 Introduction Social Work and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Definition of CPD. Definition of Social Work The IASW s Continuing Professional Development Process Membership of IASW and Career Long Professional Development. CPD Activities Relevant for Social Workers. Categories of CPD Activity. Professional Supervision from a Professionally Qualified Social Worker. Record of CPD Activities. IASW CPD Committee Review and Certification of Members CPD Logs. Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Part 3 3:1 3:2 3:3 Outline of Activities that Accrue CPD points CPD Points. Recognition of a Course, Seminar or Conference for CPD Points Summary framework of CPD Activities and their CPD point Value Page 6

IASW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy December 2012 Introduction CPD requires a commitment by social workers to career long learning as a means to keeping their knowledge and skills up to date and so ensuring they work safely, legally and effectively. Statutory registration for social workers commenced for new graduates and those coming to work in Ireland in May 2011, and by May 2013 all social workers will be required to be registered. The CORU Social Work Registration Board will finalise the specific CPD requirements in 2013 for all registrants of the social work profession. IASW was aware that most social workers regularly engage in CPD activities but that prior to the development of the CPD policy, these have not been formally recognised. IASW developed the CPD policy in 2009 as a means to; formally recognise CPD activities by certifying social workers completed CPD logs, set standards for members regarding the minimum requirements required to maintain professional competence, and prepare social workers in advance of the CORU Social Work Registration Board s CPD requirements. Following the recent CPD survey of social workers, the Board of the Irish Association of Social Workers agreed this updated CPD policy. The IASW Board requests that all social workers replace the previous policy in their CPD folder with this 2012 version. IASW has aimed to ensure the CPD policy and framework is as user friendly as possible and requests that all members adhere to the CPD policy and maintain a record of their CPD activities as outlined in this policy, IASW will formally certify all members CPD logs that have achieved the required CPD points in the three Categories. Part 1 : Social Work and Continuous Professional Development 1.1 Definition of CPD CPD includes the activities that develop the knowledge, skills and competencies for social work practice in relation to work with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities, and it also includes knowledge and skills required for areas such as policy development, management, research, education, and the promotion of the social work profession. CPD also requires a commitment by members to career long learning as a means to ensuring they continue to work safely, legally and effectively. 1.2 Definition of Social Work The International Federation of Social Work (IFSW) 2000, to which the Irish Association of Social Workers is affiliated, agreed this definition: The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. 2

IASW Summary of the Social Work Role: (2012) Social workers are employed in different areas of practice, but the generic key tasks include: Social work assessments Emotional support Case management Psycho-education. Social work training; Social work training has a broad social science base, with emphasis on sociology and social policy. The curriculum also includes psychology and counselling. Social work students develop skills and professional competence by completing fieldwork placements under the supervision of experienced practitioners. Values: Social workers are committed to the values of human rights, dignity, social inclusion and justice within an anti-discriminatory framework. Social workers assert the rights of people who need to access health and social care services (or who have been required to work with social workers), to be treated, both by the healthcare system and the wider society, in a way which maintains their dignity, respects their right to make personal decisions, and maximises their quality of life whenever possible. Part 2: The IASW CPD Process 2.1 Membership of IASW and Career Long Professional Development Social work qualifications recognised in the past by the National Social Work Qualifications Board and currently the CORU Social Work Registration Board provides eligibility for membership of the IASW and is the beginning point of post qualifying professional development. In joining IASW, each member agrees to practise according to the Association s Code of Ethics. In addition following statutory registration social workers will be required to practice according to CORU Social Work Registration Board s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers, Section 23: Keeping your professional knowledge and skills up to date, this states; a) You must make sure that your knowledge, skills and performance are of a high quality, are up to date and are relevant to your practice. b) You must: Maintain and develop your professional competence by undertaking relevant education and training to improve your knowledge and skills; Keep up to date with relevant knowledge, research methods and techniques so that your service, research activities and conclusions will help and not harm others. You can do this, for example, by reading relevant literature, consulting with peers and taking part in continuing education activities; Take part in continuing professional development (CPD); Keep clear and accurate records of CPD. a professional commitment of the practising social worker to maintain their skills and knowledge so as to offer safe and effective services to service users by engaging in career long CPD activities. 3

2.2 The CPD Activities Recommended for Social Workers. CPD activities need to be of benefit to service users and or to the quality of current and future social work practice. Examples of CPD activity include among the following; participation in conferences and skill development programmes, reading professional publications, providing student practice placements for social work students, providing or receiving professional supervision, academic study, writing or presenting professional papers, participation in research activities and active membership of social work special interest groups or other relevant voluntary bodies and committees. IASW requests that social workers record their CPD activity in the IASW CPD log with reference to the IASW CPD framework in Section 3.3. 2.3 Categories of CPD Activities The categories of CPD activities recognised by IASW are: I. Supervision II. Skill development and gaining new knowledge and information III. Contributing to the development of professional social work knowledge and practice 2.4 Professional Supervision from a Professionally Qualified Social Worker. Professional supervision refers to the arrangement for the review of work and the development of knowledge and skills which meet professional development needs and accountability requirements. The IASW position is that professional supervision is distinguished from consultation in that supervision is a social work line-management responsibility; other supervision functions undertaken by non-line managers constitute consultation. While the IASW preference is for all social workers to have individual supervision from their line managers, the IASW are aware that this is not possible for all social workers at present, so the IASW will accept social work consultation. IASW will also accept up to 25% or 5 of the 20 CPD points required via group supervision facilitated by a suitably trained social work line manager or senior social worker. Morrison (2004) Definition Group Supervision: where a small group of colleagues come together in a structured way with a supervisor to facilitate learning and development. For the purposes of CPD points in the Supervision Category, the following forms of supervision are acceptable as long as the supervisor is a professionally qualified social worker: I. Individual supervision within the organisation. II. Individual consultation provided outside the workplace. III. Peer consultation between managers/ principal social workers. IV. Group supervision 2.5 Record of CPD Activities. It is a requirement in the CORU/ Social Work Registration Board s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers (23:b) that social workers keep clear and accurate records of CPD. IASW requests that social workers record their CPD activity in the IASW CPD log, a blank CPD log is included in this folder for social workers, so that they may record their CPD activities, social workers can access an electronic copy of the CPD log via the IASW website and then print it off and the relevant line manager or supervisor can validate in the social worker s log, that the CPD activity was both completed by the social worker and was relevant to his or her role as a social worker. All social workers who become members will receive a CPD folder as part of their welcome pack and are asked to start recording their CPD activities on receipt of the folder. 4

2:6 IASW CPD Committee. The IASW Board must ensure that a CPD Committee is put in place. The CPD Committee will: Review members CPD logs for certification purposes Review applications by course organisers for an allocation of CPD points for programmes Make recommendations to the IASW Board in relation to the IASW CPD policy Undertake other relevant tasks as agreed by the IASW Board 2:7 Review and Certification of Social Workers CPD Logs IASW will verify the CPD log for all social workers as they meet the CPD requirements of the professional body. Social workers should forward a copy of their completed CPD log to IASW on achieving the required CPD points and following a review by the CPD Committee, of the required standards being met they will receive a CPD certificate from the IASW. As a means to ensuring good clinical governance of this process the IASW may request additional information or contact the relevant line manager. Part 3 : Outline of Activities that Accrue CPD Points 3.1 CPD points In general one learning hour of relevant social work CPD activity will be equivalent to one CPD point and the social worker s line manager or supervisor can sign off on the relevance of the CPD activity in the social worker s CPD log. IASW advises that merely networking, social and routine administrative activities should not accrue CPD points. CPD conferences or courses that are not specifically designed for professionally qualified social workers may not merit one point per hour. The course provider can request that the CPD programme be reviewed by the IASW CPD committee regarding the allocation of the appropriate CPD points. (See Section 3:2 below) IASW has decided that a minimum of 100 CPD points are required from all full time employed professionally qualified social workers within a 2 year cycle with at least 20 points in Category one, 30 in Category two. I. Supervision (20 points) II. Skill development and gaining new knowledge and information (30 points of which 20% or 6 CPD points must be specifically related to your area of practice). III. Contributing to the development of professional social work knowledge and practice (no minimum number of points required) Social Workers Working on Reduced Hours. Part time social workers who work less than three days must accrue a minimum of 50 CPD points, with at least 10 points in category one and 15 points in category two. Social workers employed for more than three days will have the same CPD requirements as all other full time social workers. Social workers can request the IASW to take into consideration any personal circumstances, such as maternity, sick leave or unpaid leave that prevents them from accruing the required CPD points within the 2 year CPD cycle. Social workers should attempt to accrue CPD points, 5

specifically in category II Skill development and gaining new knowledge and information, while on such leave. There is no limit to the total number of CPD points that social workers may record. However points in excess of those required in any given reporting 2 year cycle will not carry over to the next cycle. IASW decided upon this score system after reviewing a number of professional bodies CPD frameworks and will continue to review this bi-annually and in relation to any relevant decisions made by CORU Social Work Registration Board. 3.2 Allocation of CPD points for a Course, Seminar or Conference In order for a course, seminar or conference to be formally recognised and allocated CPD points, the course programme will need to have been reviewed by the IASW CPD Committee. Course, seminar or conference organisers can apply to the IASW CPD Committee for a review of their course, seminar or conference and the IASW CPD committee will allocate the appropriate CPD points. The IASW CPD Committee can arrange for CPD certificates for attendees, which can be completed and signed by the organisers. In-Service Course or Seminar The IASW CPD Committee will accept the view of social work line managers or those supervising social workers as to the relevance of any CPD in-service course or seminar. The IASW CPD Committee reserves the right to make the final decision concerning the formal recognition of any course or seminar and the number of CPD points which may be allocated. 3.3 Summary Framework of CPD Activities and their CPD Point Value. IASW CPD Framework: Minimum of 100 CPD points required for full time Social Workers (Minimum of 50 CPD points for part time Social Workers who work less than three days) within the two year CPD Cycle I. Supervision All professionally qualified social work delivered supervision is accrued at the rate of one point per hour of supervision. It is necessary to gain a minimum number of 20 points in the supervision category but no maximum number of points is set. Supervision Minimum 20 points per 2 year CPD cycle required for Full Time Social Workers (10 CPD points for part time Social Workers) A. Receiving regular, ongoing professional supervision Organisationally provided line management professional social work supervision. B. Receiving professional social work consultation If no organisational professional social worker is available, members can accrue points for private consultation with a professionally qualified social work supervisor. 6

C. Providing professional supervision/ consultation to social workers Providing professional supervision, whether in the workplace or external to the workplace (professional consultation). Maximum points that can be accrued in each 2 year CPD cycle are 15 points. D. Peer consultation between managers/ principal social workers Managers/ principal social workers who do not have access to individual supervision/ consultation can accrue CPD points for peer consultation. They will need to accrue a minimum of 5 points. E. Group supervision facilitated by a social work line manager or senior social worker Maximum points that can be accrued in each 2 year CPD cycle are 5 points. II. Skill Development and Gaining new Knowledge and Information Minimum 30 points per 2 year cycle required full time Social Workers (15 CPD points for part time Social Workers) E. In-service skill development workshops, courses or CPD events. In-service training relevant to your role as a social worker and verified by your line manager, can be included if it provides transferable knowledge and skills; one point per hour of learning time. Note: At least 6 points of the 30 points (or 3 points if part time) must be signed off by the social worker s line manager as specifically related to the social worker s area of practice. F. Attending (IASW approved) conferences, information sessions and CPD events. Only actual learning time may be included; one point per hour of learning time if verified by your line manager or supervisor as relevant to your role as a social worker. G. Reading professional publications. Each journal article or book chapter will accrue one point, if knowledge gained is demonstrated to and verified by your line manager or supervisor as relevant to your role as a social worker. H. Academic study Any formal learning program that contributes to professional development, this may include postgraduate courses (masters, graduate diploma, and graduate certificate) or undergraduate programmes (excluding the basic social work qualification) and includes coursework and research programmes. Such study programmes will accrue one point per hour of learning time, if verified by your line manager or supervisor as relevant to your role as a social worker and is IASW approved. 1 point per article/chapter 7

I. Practice-based research projects Where the social worker has undertaken a research project that is verified by your line manager or supervisor as relevant to your role as a social worker; 20 points per research project. 20 points per project III. Contributing to Professional Knowledge and Practice No minimum number of points J. Writing or publishing a journal or article If verified by your line manager or supervisor as relevant to your role as a social worker. K. Reviewing journal articles for publication If a recognised professional journal and verified by your line manager or supervisor as relevant to your role as a social worker. L. Conducting a skill development social work related workshop Only actual presentation time in workshops. First time presentation only; five points per each hour of presentation. This will need to be verified by your line manager or supervisor. M. Presentation of social work related conference papers and other professional presentations Only actual presentation time and only first time presenting may be included; five points per hour of presentation time. Also verified by your line manager or supervisor. N. Practice teaching placement for social work students Being a practice teacher of social work students for their practice placement. O. Social work tutor to social work students Being a College tutor for social work students. P. Active membership of professionally relevant committees and boards This includes IASW Board, Council, Special Interest Groups or other community organisations, verified by your line manager or supervisor as relevant to your role as a social worker; Q. Professional peer consultation. Professional peer consultation between social workers of the same grade that is not facilitated by a social work line manager or senior social worker can accrue points at the rate of one point per consultation hour. 10 points per journal/article 5 points per journal/ article. 5 points per each hour of presentation 5 points per hour of presentation time 10 points per student placement and a maximum of 20 points in any academic year. 5 points per student and a maximum of 20 points in any academic year 10 points per 2 year CPD cycle for IASW committees or 5 points per other relevant committees 8