2018
CPEL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSULTATION REPORT
Social Care Wales
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Document Control
Title / Social Care Wales CPEL Development and Consultation ReportReference: / SCW/DBC/Phase2/2018
Version: / 3
Authors: / Chloe / Professional Development Manager / 16.4.18
Whittall
QA Review: / Maggie / Associate for QA and Review / 16.4.18
Challis
Approved: / Daisy Bogg / Chief Executive / 14.4.18
Acknowledgements
•Thanks are due to all the staff that took the time to complete the questionnaire or to take part in the interviews for this evaluation.
•Thanks to Gill Paul for undertaking focus groups with her colleagues, and to all those who attended or emailed their feedback.
•Thanks to all those who assisted us with ensuring the survey could be offered in both Welsh and English.
•Thanks to Cordis Bright and Hawliau Consultancy firms for sharing their findings with us.
•Thanks to all the staff at Social Care Wales who answered our endless questions in relation to all forms of CPEL across Wales and provided us with supporting information and data.
•Thank you to Andy Broughton - DBC Research Associate
•Thank you to Maggie Challis – DBC QA Associate.
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CPEL Options Appraisal Report
Prepared for: Social Care Wales
March 2018
Contents
Acknowledgements...... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 5
CPEL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSULTATION REPORT...... 7
1. Introduction and Project Scope...... 7
2. Methodology, Limitations and Sources of Information...... 10
3. Summary of Initial Recommendation and Options...... 11
The Key Priority Recommendations:...... 12
Delivery Models – Four Options...... 13
Option 1 – Maintain the current programmes...... 14
Option 2 – Maintain programmes with some delivery changes...... 15
Option 3 – Restructured Programmes...... 16
Additional practice/training based (non-academic) CPEL to operate alongside Options 1-317
Option 4 – A fully modular HEI or SCW Award...... 18
Comparison to Other Programmes (Phase 1)...... 18
4.Findings from Consultation and Option Development...... 23
Peer Focus Groups Feedback on Phase 1 Evaluation...... 23
Peer Focus Group Feedback – Implications for Option Development...... 26
Targeted Survey Results...... 26
Targeted Survey – Implications for Option Development...... 40
Literature Review and Implications for Option Development...... 41
Semi-structured Interviews, further consultation and research into Key Areas with Implications
for Option Development...... 44
Finance...... 44
Study Time, Learning Agreements and Assessment Methods...... 46
Further Exploration of Comparable Programmes – Implications for Option Development 50
Module Topics...... 53
Academic Course Guidance...... 55
Summary...... 57
5. Proposal Briefing Document...... 58
Introduction...... 58
The Consultation Process...... 59
The Areas for Research and Consultation...... 59
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The Model...... 60
Example Practice Route - Year 1 – Configuration 1...... 65
Example Practice Route - Year 2 – Configuration 1...... 66
Example Practice Route – 1 Year – Configuration 2...... 68
Example Configuration for Research Route (Year 1)...... 69
Example Research Route (Year 1)...... 69
Example Research Route (Year 2)...... 69
Funding...... 70
Minimum Requirements for Provider(s)...... 71
Guidance for Social Care Wales...... 72
Expectations of employers and employees...... 73
Appendix 1: CPEL Learning Agreement....... 74
Appendix 2: TMDP Learning Agreement....... 76
Appendix 3: Consolidation Programme Outcomes...... 77
Appendix 4: Examples of 2017 CPEL Research Examples...... 78
Appendix 5: - Higher Education Requirements...... 79
Appendix 6...... 81
Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014...... 81
Mental Health Act Review...... 82
Mental Capacity Act Review...... 82
Mental Capacity Act Case Law...... 83
Green Paper: Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision..83
The Parliamentary Review of Health and Social Care in Wales...... 84
Social Care Research Strategy for Wales 2018 – 2023...... 84
Review of Social Work Qualifying Education and CPEL Consolidation Programmes..85
Safeguarding Wales...... 86
Child Practice Reviews...... 86
Appendix 7: Sources of Information utilised....... 87
Appendix 8 – References...... 90
Appendix 9 – Bibliography (Phase 1 References)...... 91
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- This is the second report by Daisy Bogg Consultancy Ltd, commissioned by Social Care Wales in relation to three of the continuing professional education and learning programmes (CPEL) for Social Workers in Wales. These are the Experienced Practice in Social Work, Senior Practice in Social Work and Consultant Social Work Programmes delivered collectively by Cardiff, Bangor, Swansea and Wrexham Glyndwr Universities. The qualifying programmes & CPEL consolidation programmes are subject to a separate review process.
- Our Phase 1 Evaluation Report, completed in January 2018, recommended options for restructuring these CPEL programmes based on feedback from key stakeholders. The aim of the restructure is to increase the uptake and completion rates of the CPEL Programmes and ensure greater relevance to the sector. There is strong support for restructuring the CPEL programmes to ensure they link better to other post qualifying programmes, are more relevant to practice, and are more accessible to a wider range of Social Workers.
- Section four of this report details further consultation completed during Phase 2 to inform the development of the preferred option. This included focus groups, a targeted survey across all 22 Local Authorities, stakeholder interviews and further research on the relevant factors identified in Phase 1; including length & structure of the courses, delivery & assessment methods funding & monitoring arrangements and content & employer involvement.
- Section five outlines the proposal for the new CPEL programmes. It is proposed that there are 3 routes; a Practice Route, a Management Route and a Research Route. TheManagement Routewill be fulfilled by theexisting Team Management Development Programme (TMDP) and Middle Management Programme (MMDP). These programmes are not under review and will continue to be delivered by their existing providers.
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- The Practice Routewill include and combine valued elements of the current
‘Experienced Practice in Social Work Programme’ and the ‘Senior Practice in Social Work Programme’ and a range of other modules specifically linked to the role of being a Social Worker in Frontline Practice. The suggested content has been informed by the consultation process.
- The Research Routewill include valued elements of the current ‘ConsultantSocial Work Programme’ and will enable Social Workers at any level to be involved in developing and improving Social Work practice through Academic Research and Leadership. It may be particularly applicable to Social Workers in a specialist role. It is recommended that this is linked to a nationwide dissemination process to maximise the learning for sector improvement.
- it is recommended that the Core Programme for each route is:
✓12 months in length.
✓Leads to a level 7 Post-Graduate Certificate.
✓60 Academic Credits.
✓Delivered in at least 3 locations across Wales.
✓Inclusive of taught days, action learning sets and tutorials.
✓Learning materials and assessment methods in Welsh and English.
- The proposal is for provider(s) to offer an optional second year for each route, this will be subject to a funding review by Social Care Wales to explore if this can be costed within the current budget, or whether alternatives would need to be explored. The second year would be a further 60 credits at level 7 and combined with the first year, would result in Post-Graduate Diploma.
- Section five outlines suggested minimum requirement for potential provider(s) of the new courses, suggested expectations of employers and employees and suggested guidance for Social Care Wales in terms of ‘next steps’.
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CPEL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSULTATION REPORT
- Introduction and Project Scope
1.1Daisy Bogg Consultancy Ltd (DBC) was commissioned by Social Care Wales to undertake a review and evaluation of the continuing professional education and learning programmes (CPEL) framework for social workers in Wales. The evaluation was undertaken between October and December 2017 and the findings were presented to the Review of Social Work Education – CPEL Review Steering Group in January 2018. A separate review is being undertaken by Social Care Wales in respect of the Qualifying and Consolidation Programmes.
1.2The three CPEL Programmes reviewed are currently delivered by Cardiff University and its Alliance Partners: Bangor University, Swansea University and Wrexham Glyndwr University. They are:
•Experienced Practice in Social Work (EPSW, known informally as EPP)
•Senior Practice in Social Work (SPSW, known informally as SPP)
•Consultant Social Work (CSW)
1.3The remit of the review was to evaluate which factors may be addressed to increase the uptake and completion rate of the CPEL programmes when they are re-commissioned in 2018. The five areas identified for exploration were:
•Delivery & Content Options
•Employer/Employee Incentives
•Social Care Wales Levers
•Financial Levers
•Social Work Professional Ownership
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1.4The evaluation highlighted a number of possible explanations for the very high attrition rate for the current CPEL Programmes (see 3.30). Comparison to other programmes, in particular the Team Manager Development Programme, also provided a number of possible solutions. It is highly likely that multiple factors interact in a complex manner resulting in the current outcomes. In light of these complexities the findings were utilised to generate a wide range of possibilities. The evaluation presented the steering group with 40 possible recommendations for consideration. These recommendations were utilised to present the Steering Group with 4 options for future delivery models, and 7 key priority recommendations which DBC felt should be included in the recommissioning plan regardless of which option was pursued. The Steering Group comprises of representatives from The Welsh Government, Social Care Wales, ADSS, Local Authority Workforce Development Representative, Cloeg Cymraeg and the NSPCC. Throughout this document, the first DBC evaluation is referred to as ‘Phase 1’.
1.5As a result of the evaluation, Social Care Wales has commissioned DBC to undertake further consultation to further explore and develop the preferred option of the Steering Group – This is Option 3, set out briefly at 3.13. Social Care Wales has asked DBC to use this information prepare a report that could be utilised for further consultation and in developing the specification for the recommissioning of the CPEL Programmes this year. This is ‘Phase 2’ of the project, and the detail of option 3 is set out in section five of this report.
1.6The project scope for this report, as agreed with Social Care Wales is as follows:
✓Develop the detail of Option 3 into a report and consultation paper.
✓Advice on the length of CPEL programmes.
✓Advice on any factors which may affect implementation.
✓Include how key priority recommendations can be addressed.
✓Include any options to be considered as part of consultation.
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1.7We have divided this report into the following areas:
•Methodology, Limitations and Sources of information –(Section 2)
This details how we have undertaken the consultation to inform the development of the proposed restructure of the programme and any potential limitations.
•Summary of Initial Recommendations and Options –(Section 3)
This section seeks to contextualise the report by providing a brief overview of the first report.
•Findings from Consultation and Option Development –(Section 4)
This section includes an overview of the feedback from the survey, peer focus groups interviews and evidence scope and how these have been used to develop Option 3 and considerations for recommissioning.
•Proposal Briefing Document –(Section 5) This section can be usedas a stand-alone consultation document and contains a summary of the context, a description of the proposed model and details of the expectations of any potential provider(s) and the key stakeholders.
•Horizon Scanning Paper - This is can be found in Appendix Six. Itcontains an overview of potential changes to Social Work in the coming months and years. We recommend that any recommissioning requires the potential provider(s) to evidence how they will ensure the programmes remain current and how they will account for any significant practice issues that occur during the life of the contract, such as those identified in this section.
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- Methodology, Limitations and Sources of Information
2.1During the Phase 1 Evaluation a mixed method qualitative approach was utilised. We reviewed a range of previous evaluation findings from Cordis Bright and Hawliau Consultancy firms, data from the current CPEL Programmes and undertook a comparison exercise with other well-established CPD Programmes in Wales E.g. TMDP, MMDP and AMHP.
2.2We also interviewed a small number of key stakeholders identified by Social Care Wales; these were primarily training leads for Local Authorities, the current providers and commissioners. The detail can be found in the DBC CPEL Evaluation Report – January 2018. The information sources utilised in Phase 1 are repeated in this report, as much of the information gathered in Phase 1 has been used to inform Phase 2. Full details can be found in Appendices 7 and 9.
2.3For Phase 2, the mixed method qualitative approach includes:
•An online survey undertaken by Voluntary Sector Organisations and Local Authority Training leads and/or Managers across all 22 Local Authorities (Section 4).
•Further semi-structured interviews to explore practical issues in connection with finance and module content (See Appendix 7)
•Two peer focus groups were undertaken by a Social Care Wales Steering group representative, to explore further the recommendations in the first report (Section 4).
•A further literature review on key proposed changes such as the relevance of the length of courses in respect of completion rates (See Appendix 8).
•A ‘Horizon Scanning’ exercise to ensure that any likely significant changes facing the Social Work Sector are planned for in course content, design and delivery (Appendix 6).
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2.4In Phase 2, no structured research has been undertaken by DBC with either successful candidates of the CPEL Programme or those that have withdrawn. The Hawliau Consultancy Review in November 2016 included data and feedback from 10 participants that had withdrawn from the courses, and this has been drawn on when appropriate.
2.5Many of the workforce development/training leads indicated that their input was based on the feedback they had received from CPEL participants, particularly those that had dropped out. The current providers gave valuable input based on the feedback they have received from both successful candidates and those withdrawing from the course. Alongside data and comparisons, this information has been used to make some informed assumptions; these are clearly identified as such.
2.6The involvement of voluntary sector organisations in the review has been low.
Attempts to engage these stakeholders will need to be reinforced in the final consultation stage.
- Summary of Initial Recommendation and Options
3.1To contextualise the findings of Phase 2, we have outlined here the 7 Key Priority Recommendations from Phase 1, including a brief explanation of their origin and rationale for inclusion, along with the four options presented, the preferred option chosen and why. The full report is available from Social Care Wales on request.
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The Key Priority Recommendations:
3.2
•Robust data collection and monitoring requirements set out by SocialCare Wales as part of the contractual arrangements with the provider(s) and linked directly to performance monitoring. The Phase 1 Evaluation was limited by a lack of availability of key data in relation to programme starts, withdrawals and completions. This recommendation will allow future evaluations of the programme to be based on empirical, quantitative evidence as well as qualitative feedback.
•Shared financial responsibility between Social Care Wales, the courseprovider(s) and the employer. The evidence in the Phase 1 Evaluation suggested that a shared financial responsibility increases the ownership of all participants as all parties are invested in the success of the programme.
•A proactive and comprehensive Marketing and Communication Strategy led by Social Care Wales that includes all ContinuedProfessional Development options not just the specified CPEL programmes. The Phase 1 Evaluation found that there was some confusion over which courses were most appropriate for staff in specific roles and stages of their career. There were also concerns that different courses had different value and weighting. A proactive approach will help promote all continuing professional development as being valid and equal and enable social workers to choose the option that that will suit them best at that point in their career.
•An agreed formal application process, inclusive of an IT Assessment. Itwas reported in the first evaluation that some participants had not been fully clear on the requirements of the course, in terms of self-guided study, research requirements and IT Skills. An assessment of existing skills and expectations is not intended to exclude anyone from the CPEL Programmes, rather it is intended to ensure that Social Workers have chosen the right course for them, at the right time and that they have the skills to succeed. It will also identify any support they need from the provider(s) or their employer prior to or during the course. This process will be valuable even if the delivery method or the structure of the courses change, as participants will always benefit from an understanding of the requirements of the course that they are doing, and some level of IT skills are always needed.
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•An allocated Employment Representative and allocated Provider Tutor for each employee, to be involved in recruitment, midpoint review and trouble-shooting. This will provide additional support tocandidates to enable them to complete the programme and increase the employer involvement in the courses. The Phase 1 report highlighted that, despite a general improvement in communication, a significant disconnect still existed between employers and providers, including a lack of clarity as to how employers can be involved, and how problems for struggling participants can be addressed.
An apparent lack of structure and no compulsory tutorials in the CPEL Programmes may have contributed to participants dropping too far behind to address challenges which would enable them to continue. The Hawliau Review and the information from comparable programmes suggests a clearly defined structure may be a simple mechanism for improving the completion rate.