We recognise the most important influence in a child’s life is family. Children who grow up with safe, stable and nurturing relationships form stronger friendships, develop greater resilience, achieve more in school and are more likely to build positive relationships throughout their lives.
We are child focussed in our intent but recognise that the most effective way to help and protect children is to work alongside the whole family. Therefore strengthening families is central to our aims as we know that families have greater capacity for change when we work with them as partners. This is part of an evidence based approach known as Restorative Practice.
We aim to embed a culture across our workforce where dignity and respect is the basis for our interventions. Every member of staff will understand the principles of Restorative Practice and its ethos will underpin all of our work and align to the borough vision of ‘Forging a Future for all’.
Post Qualifying Standards Handbook
The Post Qualifying Standards are considered to be aspects of practice that inform Child and Family Practitioners in their work with children and families. This was introduced by the Department of Education (DfE) in 2014 as a way of improving Social Work education, training and career development.
They define overall expectations of Newly Qualified Social Workers during their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and should be referenced in all portfolio work.
The two handbooks have been developed by Christy Jordan and Vicki Silvester-Grant, Advanced Social Work Practitioners within Dudley's Centre for Professional Practice to provide an overview of the Post Qualifying Standards. They also includes some direct work tools to use with children and young people, some key information to use in assessments and plans and a brief summary of UK Legislation. The Supervisors handbook also includes some useful supervision tools, learning style assessment tools and information on 'What makes a good leader?'.
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