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This report describes the development of Key Capabilities in Child Care and Protection, which set out the knowledge and skills an emerging social worker should have in relation to children and their needs by the point of qualifying.

The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.iriss.ac.uk/node/685

Anne Spiers, Learning and Development Advisor at City of Edinburgh Council explains how she works with students across the Council using the Extended Link Worker Model, describing the pros and cons of such a collaborative way of working.

Audio: Extended Link Supervisor Model - Anne Spiers

Robert Gordon University are running another free workshop - Embedding the Key Capabilities in Child Care & Child Protection in Practice Learning, the event would be relevant for Practice Teachers and Link Supervisors.

Venue: The Robert Gordon University, Room H629, Faculty of Health & Social Care
Date: 5th June 2008, from 10:00 am - 12:00

For more information and a booking form log onto http://www.learningnetworks.org.uk/north or open the attached document.

Anne Spiers,Learning and Development Advisor,City of Edinburgh Council shares her knowledge and experience of working with a student in a practice learning environment to meet some of the requirements of key capabilities. Using a tried and tested model where the student draws on the expertise of a range of link supervisors, Anne explains some of the benefits and challenges to this way of working.

Audio: hear about the Extended Link Supervisor Model

Downloadable PDF in the attachment below contains:

1. An example of a student practice learning opportunity where a particular model (engaging with link supervisors) is used
2. a diagram of the model

A workshop pack has been developed by the Child Care and Protection Training and Development Project overseen by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS). The pack is intended to be used by anyone wanting to share information about Key Capabilities in Child Care and Protection and promote their use. The materials have been drawn from workshops run by project officers, Helen Whincup and Margaret Bruce, in 2007/8 and are now available wider use.

The documents and presentation materials can be downloaded from
http://www.iriss.ac.uk/keycapabilities/workshoppack

The Key Capabilities in Child Care and Protection (Scottish Executive 2006) were ratified by the then Scottish Executive, to be embedded from September 2007. The Key Capabilities set out the knowledge and skills qualifying social work students need to be able to demonstrate in relation to child care and protection. Key Capabilities apply to students undertaking social work degrees and to those on post- graduate qualifying courses.

In September and October 2007 workshops were held throughout Scotland as part of the process of embedding Key Capabilities. These workshops were attended by key stakeholders including students, practice teachers and tutors from university teams delivering social work courses in Scotland. One of the suggestions to emerge from the workshops was that for those involved in 'cascading' information about Key Capabilities to colleagues, students, other professionals, service users and carers a pack containing key information would be helpful.

The pack includes:

• a PowerPoint presentation detailing the development and aims of Key Capabilities. Where necessary the slides include explanatory notes for presenters.
• exercises which can be used to facilitate small group discussion and help participants to become familiar with the document and explain what Key Capabilities might mean for them in their role.
• 'Frequently asked questions' about Key Capabilities. These are drawn from questions asked during the workshops in September/October 2007. Both the questions and answers are on the Key Capabilities website (www.iriss.ac.uk/keycapabilities) and the SSSC website (www.sssc.org.uk)
• a leaflet which is designed for use with service users and carers, which was drawn up following consultation with user groups but which can also be used with a range of stakeholders to give information about Key Capabilities.

Prior to sharing information about Key Capabilities, presenters should read the document.

Dependent on your role you may also want to read:

• The Framework for Social Work Education in Scotland: Standards in Social Work Education (2003)
• Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (2003)
• Key information about the role of the Scottish Social Services Council can be obtained from their website www.sssc.org.uk

We hope the pack will be a useful and helpful resource.

Helen Whincup, Project Officer
Margaret Bruce, Project Officer

February 2008

Download the Workshop Pack