Guidance

Social work post-qualifying standards: knowledge and skills statements

Post-qualifying assessment and accreditation criteria for social workers supporting vulnerable children and families.

Applies to England

Documents

Knowledge and skills statement for practice leaders

Details

The knowledge and skills statements are the foundation for the introduction of a post-qualification specialist career pathway for child and family social workers. They’re crucial for child and family social work:

  • education
  • recruitment
  • career development
  • performance appraisal

These statements will form the basis of the National Assessment and Accreditation System (NAAS) for child and family social workers.

They’re for:

  • frontline practitioners (staff)
  • practice supervisors
  • practice leaders

Practice supervisors are qualified social workers responsible for:

  • supervising child and family practitioners
  • developing the skills of teams and individuals involved in child and family social work services

Practice leaders are qualified social workers responsible for:

  • making sure the whole local system for child and family social work practice operates correctly
  • overseeing child and family frontline practitioners and practice supervisors

For frontline practitioners and practice supervisors, these statements have been determined as the post-qualifying improvement standards as set out under Section 42 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, which means a professional standard, the attainment of which demonstrates particular expertise or specialisation.

Updates to this page

Published 19 November 2015
Last updated 18 May 2018 + show all updates
  1. Updated documents in line with the National Assessment and Accreditation System (NAAS).

  2. Updated documents and detail in line with consultation response.

  3. Added the knowledge and skills statement for approved child and family practitioners.

  4. First published.

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