Wandsworth – ASYE Knowledge and Skills Initial Assessment
Employers have been asked by the Dept of Education to assess newly qualified social workers (Children and Families) against the Knowledge and Skills statement published in November 2014.
Wandsworth is keen to assess how these social workers apply their knowledge and skills to the kind of situations that they are likely to encounter in their social work roles. Therefore we ask ASYE social workers to complete a 1 hour assessment soon after they join their teams. We provide a quiet room, a laptop and a copy of the Knowledge and Skills Statement.
The social workers are given a scenario( on screen) and are asked to answer a number of questions about their analysis of the case, their understanding of thresholds for intervention and how they would plan to work with the service users. We are interested in their views about service user experience and need and we question their knowledge of the legislation, guidance and best practice that underpins their work. Wandsworth values reflective practice and practitioners who are able to analyse the impact of self on their work and we would want to know how social workers use supervision to improve their practice.The questions we ask (currently 4) are intended to provide an opportunity for answers which demonstrate knowledge or capability in each of the 10 areas covered by the Knowledge and Skills statement.
Newly qualified social workers have had a diverse range of opportunity and experience and we therefore do not expect them to have a comprehensive understanding of specific procedure, unless they have previously worked in a relevant placement. However, we do expect and look for a reflective, analytical approach, together with a curiosity about alternative possible explanations for the situations and behaviours that they are presented with. We are impressed with social workers who clearly identify what they know and what they don’t know but need to find out and by those who are capable of holding multiple possibilities in mind simultaneously. Our social workers need to demonstrate a respectful, informed value base and a response which indicates a likely ability to establish good communication in challenging circumstances.
It is our view that social workers who demonstrate the above capabilities within their answers will either have the Knowledge and Skills required, or the ability to use the professional development opportunities available during their ASYE year to progress in areas identified as requiring improvement. Our ASYE social workers are advised that areas for development should be addressed via the Professional Development Plans, which form an integral part of the ASYE process.
Our scenarios are short, generally about half a page (without the questions) and are derived from real case referrals that we receive. We aim to provide situations which test typical social work analytical and assessment skills with children and families. All names are anonymised, identifying details are removed and further changes are made to ensure that the material challenges social workers to think of best practice within the context they are considering. We have found that collaboration between our Operational and Training and Development Services has helped us to keep the process real and relevant.
Following the assessment a meeting is arranged between the ASYE Assessor and the ASYE lead to complete the Knowledge and Skills Assessment Sheet. Feedback is given to the ASYE social worker.
Tina Baker
Wandsworth Children’s Services ASYE lead 19/6/2015
ASYE Knowledge and Skills Initial Assessment Sheet
(to be completed by Assessors, see ASYE K&S Initial Assessment Summary for guidance)
SW Name:Date:
Assessor Name(s):
Knowledge and Skills Assessment – Start of Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)Key Knowledge and Skills / Evidence and Comment
1) Relationships and effective direct work
2) Communication
3) Child development
4) Adult mental ill health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, physical ill health and disability
5) Abuse and neglect of children
6) Child and family assessment
7) Analysis, decision-making, planning and review
8) The law and the family and youth justice systems
9) The role of supervision
10) Organisational context
Recommendation re development