continuing professional development

At research in practice we are seeking to maximise the benefits for individuals who engage with learning and development within our network.  The General Social Care Council (GSCC) has developed systems to register social care workers and regulate their conduct and training.  The most recent guidance for social care staff is available on the GSCC website.

Deliberately, the GSCC have avoided being too specific about the type of activities that constitute a contribution to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).  Involvement in research in practice activities can help contribute to achieving the necessary training and learning to comply with the GSCC’s regulations.

We can offer you the following advice:

1. Ensure you comply with the GSCC Codes of Practice

Under the 2002 GSCC Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers and employers (new window), significant guidance is given in relation to commitment to training development and acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Registration of those working in social care is compulsory and conditional on meeting the requirements for entry.  Those registered have agreed to abide by the standards set out in the Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers and re-register every three years.

2. Post Registration Training and Learning

Every social worker registered with the GSCC shall, within the period of registration, complete either 90 hours or 15 days of study, training, courses, seminars, reading, teaching or other activities which could reasonably be expected to advance the social worker’s professional development, or contribute to the development of the profession as a whole.  Each social worker should compile a portfolio of these activities to use as proof for re-registration.  The GSCC state they have been deliberately vague in defining learning activities to acknowledge the variety of methods of learning and development. Similarly, a formal system for assessing the validity of an activity is not in place.  At research in practice, in line with the GSCC Codes of Guidance, we place emphasis on quality of learning. Below are some ideas of how research in practice can help contribute to your portfolio:

• Making monthly visits to our Research and Policy Updates.  You may wish to print out the latest updates and highlight any areas of interest

• Keep your certificates from any research in practice Learning Events and Change Project that you attend

• Engage with research in practice’s e-learning packages in areas relevant to your work

• Log your use of research in practice’s briefings and multimedia learning tools and indicate in your log how your learning has been used in your own or your agency’s practice development.

The GSCC has drafted a standard form (new window) that you may wish to use for your portfolio.

3. Post Qualifying Award

The GSCC have recently published their guidance for the new Post Qualifying Award Framework (new window). Certified research in practice Learning Events and Change Projects may be valid for credits on these awards.

The GSCC will be attempting to develop a more coherent system across the regions of England (and also across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) but at the moment validity of our certificates for individual programmes are at the discretion of the local Higher Education Institution that leads each programme.  We have an ongoing relationship with the Post Qualifying Consortium in Sheffield in order to ensure research in practice’s work is appropriate for Post Qualifying training but, because the shape of each course and its delivery pattern is decided locally, we recommend contacting the lead of your local Post Qualifying Consortia for further discussion.  These details are also downloadable via the GSCC.

We are dedicated to keeping you informed about developments in this area. If you would like further guidance please contact: Katherine Taylor, Learning and Development Officer (Learning Events) on 0114 222 6474 or k.e.taylor@sheffield.ac.uk