Mapping Of Professional Qualification Routes and Continuous Professional Learning Opportunities relating to Psychological Trauma, in the Children and Families Workforce

5. Children And Families Social Work

Fig.2 A diagram describing the Children and Families Social Work pathway (note: a pdf of this image is available separately on request if a larger font size is needed)

Introduction

5.1 The learning journey for Children and Families Social Work is relatively formalised as Social Workers must qualify with at least one of three qualifications; a diploma, a bachelor's, and/or a master's qualification (SSSC, 2022a). Most Children and Families Social Workers are employed through local councils and therefore the structure of their employment and CPL has a degree of standardisation.

5.2 The registration body for Social Work is the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). They are responsible for maintaining standards and they also outline mandatory CPL as a condition of remaining on their register.

SSSC Specifications

5.3 All students qualifying in social work in Scotland are assessed against the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE). Social Work programmes embed the standards throughout their materials and students demonstrate their knowledge and skills through academic and practice-based learning (SSSC, 2022b).

5.4 The Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) Standards reflect the core characteristics of social work practice expected to develop within an early career stage. They relate to the consolidation and further development of the knowledge, skills, values, and ethical practice accessed during social work education (NQSW, 2022). While the NQSW Standards don’t stipulate that trauma training is required, trauma informed practice is considered a part of the key learning.

Table 4: Standards Summary

Standard

Newly Qualified Social Worker Standards, Early Implementation Version, (NQSW, 2022)

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

Partial coverage of Level 1: Trauma Informed

Summary of trauma-components included

These standards contain a focus on social inequality, diversity, vulnerability, and human rights in terms of risk or abuse or neglect but only briefly mentions trauma and does not explicitly cover a trauma informed training.

Standard

Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE) (SSSC, 2022b).

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

Partial coverage of Level 1: Trauma Informed

Summary of trauma-components included

These standards include recognising some types of trauma (e.g. abuse), however requirements are limited with no clear requirement for understanding trauma itself. The term 'vulnerable' is used much more often, and the standards reference in several instances the importance and responsibility to 'support the wellbeing of vulnerable children and adults' without explicitly mentioning trauma or using trauma informed approaches.

Qualifying Education

5.5 There are three different routes to study Social Work in Scotland:

• Part-time post-graduate diploma (PGDip)
• Full-time or part-time undergraduate bachelor's degree (BA, BA (Hons))
• Full-time postgraduate master’s degree (MSc, MSW)

5.6 There is no specialist or stand-alone course for Children and Families Social Work as the Social Work qualification covers this content. Individuals gain the title ‘Children and Families Social Worker’ through practical experience and the choice to work in the Children and Families workforce (SSSC, 2022c).

5.7 All Social Work courses must be approved by the SSSC. Despite courses needing to have approval by the SSSC, there is some level of flexibility around what different institutions choose to cover within their modules. Students must also register with the SSSC in order to go on placement as part of their qualification requirements. Registration applicants must have ‘fitness to practice’ which is set by the SSSC and may be impaired by misconduct, deficient professional practice, a health issue, a decision about them by another specified regulatory body, or a criminal conviction (SSSC, 2022d).

5.8 In Scotland, there are eight institutions that offer a bachelor's degree in Social Work:

• BA Hons Social Work, University of Dundee
• BSc Social Work, The University of Edinburgh
• BA Hons Social Work, Edinburgh Napier University
• BA Hons Social Work, Glasgow Caledonian University
• BA Hons Social Work, Robert Gordon University
• BA Hons Social Work, University of Stirling
• BA Hons Social Work, Strathclyde University
• BA Hons Social Work, University of the West of Scotland

5.9 The application process is similar to most standard university application processes, however, University of Strathclyde and University of the West of Scotland recommend up to 6 months of relevant work experience.

5.10 The Open University delivers employment-based routes such as a part-time distance learning bachelor's degree as well as a post-graduate diploma in Social Work.

5.11 It is possible to enter Social Work through a two-year master's qualification. In order to do so, most institutions require a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences or another relevant course. They also require relevant understanding of the job role which ranges from a written demonstration of understanding in a Personal Statement to proof of six months’ work experience. There are eight institutions that offer a masters qualification in Social Work:

• MSc Social Work, University of Dundee
• MSc Social Work, Glasgow Caledonian University
• MSc Social Work, Robert Gordon University
• MSc Social Work, University of Stirling
• MSc Social Work, University of the West of Scotland
• MSW Social Work, Edinburgh Napier University
• MSW Social Work, Strathclyde University
• MSW Social Work, The University of Edinburgh

Analysis against the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017)

5.12 The analysis of programme materials against the Knowledge and Skills Framework standards shows a varying landscape. While programmes must adhere to the SSSC standards and are reviewed regularly by the SSSC, the individual courses vary in terms of detail around certain topics. For example, one course shows trauma informed training Level 1: Trauma Informed and partially covering Level 2: Trauma Skilled Practice, whereas several others show no mention of trauma or trauma informed principles. This disparity suggests that personal interest or knowledge around trauma informed approaches of programme designers influence whether trauma informed practice is taught, however, the SSSC aims to address this through their annual Quality Assurance process.

5.13 In Table 5 below, each education programme has been analysed based on available public information, such as module descriptions and learning objectives, to identify what trauma informed components are included, and whether these are an addition to those required by SSSC specifications. In some instances, module descriptions and learning objectives do not include any mention of trauma, or trauma informed material, however in these cases it can be assumed that each of these education programmes at a minimum satisfies the SSSC’s SiSWE and the trauma informed components laid out within them. (Note: This is not an exhaustive list of relevant education programmes in Scotland but offers a cross section of programmes offered).

Table 5: Social Work Qualifications Summary

Course or Unit

BA (Hons) in Social Work, University of Stirling

Material Source

Information shared through correspondence with relevant individuals

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

Level 1: Trauma Informed and partial coverage of Level 2: Trauma Skilled

Summary of trauma-components included

This course teaches up to a Trauma Informed level and partially a Trauma Skilled level of practice and dedicates part of a module to this learning.

Course or Unit

BA (Hons) Social Work, University of Dundee

Material Source

Publicly available course modules analysed

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

No explicit evidence of trauma informed practice available.

Summary of trauma-components included

The course materials do not explicitly mention trauma or trauma informed practice; however, materials do cover sociological and psychological theories that seek to explain human behaviour and how individuals, children and adults, grow and develop.

Course or Unit

BA (Hons) Social Work, the University of Strathclyde

Material Source

Publicly available course modules analysed

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

No explicit evidence of trauma informed practice available.

Summary of trauma-components included

The course module descriptors do not suggest that education around trauma or trauma informed practice is included in student's learning.

Course or Unit

BA (Hons) Social Work, Robert Gordon University

Material Source

Publicly available course modules analysed

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

No explicit evidence of trauma informed practice available.

Summary of trauma-components included

While the information does not explicitly mention trauma or trauma informed principles, the material and reading lists do reference working in a therapeutic way with vulnerable children, lifespan development and working with attachment theory. These topics suggest room for trauma informed practice and learning if not already offering this under a different guise.

Course or Unit

MSc Social Work, Robert Gordon University

Material Source

Publicly available course modules analysed

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

No explicit evidence of trauma informed practice available.

Summary of trauma-components included

The modules cover working with mental health issues, lifespan development, childhood issues, attachment and risk. The topics covered do not explicitly mention trauma informed or trauma, suggesting there is no equivalent of the Knowledge and Skills Framework materials included here.

Course or Unit

MSc Social Work, Stirling University

Material Source

Publicly available course modules analysed

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

No explicit evidence of trauma informed practice available.

Summary of trauma-components included

No explicit mention of trauma, however, materials cover topics such as how psychological, familial, social and environmental factors impact upon adversity, and applying developmental theory to ‘real’ people and situations so students can begin to develop observation skills and apply theory to the situations of individuals or families.

Course or Unit

MSc Social Work, University of Dundee

Material Source

Publicly available course modules analysed

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

No explicit evidence of trauma informed practice available.

Summary of trauma-components included

The materials suggest having a good understanding of recognising how a person is influenced and shaped by their environment and experiences but they do not explicitly mention trauma or working in a trauma informed way.

Course or Unit

MSW (Master of Social Work), Edinburgh Napier University

Material Source

Publicly available course modules analysed

Which levels of the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Psychological Trauma (NES, 2017) does this satisfy?

Partial coverage of Level 1: Trauma Informed

Summary of trauma-components included

Four different modules within the course dedicate material to covering ACES, recognising trauma and understanding the impact of it and understanding the impact of ACES in accessing care or support. The modules also cover using support and supervision as a practitioner effectively.

Employer Continued Professional Learning

5.14 The predominant training for Children and Families Social Workers is PGCert Child Protection. Social Workers will typically start their child protection training 18 months post qualification. Child protection and safeguarding training is updated every one to three years or when the certification runs out, whichever comes first.

5.15 The SSSC requires evidenced CPL to remain registered. Within the first 12 months of joining the SSSC’s register (or 18 months if working part-time) 144 hours of CPL needs to be evidenced. They note that five days of this should be focused on how ‘to identify, assess and manage risk to vulnerable groups.’ After this, 90 hours of CPL needs to be evidenced every 3 years (NQSW, 2021). Child Protection goes towards the evidenced hours of CPL training. The SSSC do not stipulate what CPL should be undertaken, however, 30 hours should focus on working effectively with colleagues and other professionals to identify, address and manage risk to vulnerable groups. The SSSC also has a support page recommending certain training where the NTTP Knowledge and Skills Framework is currently being promoted.

5.16 Local councils use an online learning platform called TURAS which makes available selected training and development materials. The Children and Families Social Workers engaged in this study had access to the Knowledge and Skills Framework Level 1: Trauma Informed and Level 2: Trauma Skilled training through the TURAS platform, however this was not noted as mandatory training. Managers typically suggest whichever level of training to practitioners they believe is relevant.

Frontline Workers’ Experiences

5.17 The experience of Children and Families Social Workers is difficult to generalise due to the small sample size engaged, however, their experience of CPL tended to differ depending on supervisors within local authorities. Generally, whilst there is access to Level 1 and 2 of the Knowledge and Skills Framework training materials, it was felt that this is not advanced enough because of their role and remit.

5.18 One social worker felt that trauma training would embed well in the extensive Child Protection training that is mandatory within their role and noted that the importance of trauma informed approaches within The Promise helped motivate them to conduct further research and education. However, it was noted by social workers and associated stakeholders that due to high case load numbers and pressure building over the pandemic, time can be very difficult to protect for education and training, particularly if the training is more advanced, in-depth or requires additional funding. It was felt that trauma informed practice needs to gain respect throughout local council Social Work departments in order for it to be prioritised.