Career progression scheme
Newly qualified social worker
Medway recruits a cohort of newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) in October and April each year. You will have a reduced caseload building up in number and complexity over the year.
In addition to the support you receive from your manager, you will have ongoing support from our Practice Development Lead for NQSWs. They will be able to provide additional support and reflection as needed and offer monthly workshops for you and your ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) cohort.
Our NQSWs feel valued and supported in Medway and are growing into excellent practitioners.
Social worker
Once you have completed your ASYE year you will automatically transfer into a social worker role. You will be given the opportunity to consolidate the knowledge, skills and expertise gained through your ASYE year and put it into practice.
Progression to experienced social worker level is through submission of a statement of learning.
Experienced social worker
As an experienced social worker you will hold more complex cases, developing and enhancing your skills and abilities to work with the most complex families.
You will have demonstrated the requirements of the PCF (professional capabilities framework) at social worker level and the KSS (knowledge and skills statements) for approved child and family practitioners.
Progression to senior practitioner level is through submission of a statement of application and case study.
Senior practitioner
As a senior practitioner you will contribute formally and informally to the learning and development of others. This may include:
- supporting and mentoring a newly qualified social worker
- supervising a social work apprentice or family worker
- supporting a student placement
- contributing to a specialist area of practice.
You will have demonstrated the requirements of the PCF at the experienced social worker level and the KSS for approved child and family practitioners.
Progression to team manager is via application.
Team manager
The team manager is responsible for motivating, developing and managing a team, and improving outcomes for children and young people. They will do this by developing effective partnership working with other council services and partner agencies to ensure efficient delivery of the service.
Service manager
The service manager is responsible for the leadership, direction and guidance for their team. This is achieved through supporting the team managers, senior practitioners, and social workers in their teams to ensure they can provide the best possible level of service and ensure children are safeguarded.
They have shared responsibility with the head of service for budgets, recruitment, performance, and strategic responsibilities within the service.
Head of service
The head of service is responsible for:
- providing strategic leadership, vision and direction to the service areas within their area of responsibility
- ensuring a high-quality service that reflects Medway’s practice model and delivers positive outcomes for children, young people and families.
They are directly accountable for the service area budget, performance, and strategic responsibilities.
They will deputise for the assistant director and other heads of service as appropriate.