Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Local Authorities offer the opportunity for staff to be sponsored to undertake the Open University BA Social Work Degree. The Local Authority pays for the degree in full & allows two study days a month during each academic year.
The degree is predominantly distance learning, so you will remain working in your substantive post throughout. However, in your second & third years, you will go out on placement for a block of 90 days (plus 10 study days) – this means you will be away from your substantive post for nearly six months, & so your line manager & service manager MUST support your application.
Criteria
- GCSE pass in English AND Maths (or equivalent) – this is for all SW degrees & decided on by Social Care Wales
- 360 hours experience “in a relevant social care setting”
- Have worked for RCT or Merthyr (continuous service) for 18 months at the time of application submission
- Be in a permanent post (or a post that will remain for the three years of the degree)
- Have the support/approval of your team manager & Service Manager
- Ability to study at degree level
- Willing to commit to working for RCT or Merthyr for 3 years post-qualifying.
Process
- Email sent to all social care staff in March (including links to further information)
- Awareness Raising Session (April)
- Issue and return of Line Management Support Form & Expression of Interest (by 21st April)
- Application Forms issued and returned (with maths & English certificates) (late May/early June)
- Short listing
- Panel Interview (late June/early July)
- Confirmation of Selected Applicants & Completion of University processes
- Commence Degree Programme (Oct)
For any queries/further discussion about sponsorship in RCT please contact Lindsey Haggar (Student Workforce Development Co-Ordinator) Lindsey.haggar@rctcbc.gov.uk
For any queries/further discussion about sponsorship in Merthyr please contact Samantha Lee (Student Development Workforce Coordinator) samantha.c.lee@rctcbc.gov.uk
Post Qualifying and CPD Opportunities
Every Newly Qualified Social Worker within Cwm Taf will have a ‘First 3 Years in Practice Plan’ which is formulated with the Workforce Development Coordinator, their Team Manager and themselves to highlight any support and training needs. The plan will focus on supervision, workload management, feedback and training. This plan will be reviewed at 6 months and again after one year, discussing the newly qualified worker’s progress within their Local Authority and highlighting all Continuous Professional Education and Learning (CPEL) needs and how to achieve them.
Every Newly Qualified Social Worker will have access to a full Cwm Taf training calendar where they can identify and attend training that will support their development in their role. This will include the 4 mandatory courses needed to complete the Consolidation Programme. They are able to access mentoring from the Workforce Development Coordinator as needed to develop skills and understanding.
In addition, the Workforce Development Coordinator will facilitate workshops around wellbeing and development to support social workers in their new role. Subjects to date have included Staying Safe, Court Etiquette, Working with Non-Compliant Families and ‘We Are Not Robots’. Work is also being undertaken with Children’s Services to create a model of support for first year social workers which will be rolled out across Cwm Taf.
After one year of practice, newly qualified workers who have completed the 4 mandatory courses can be considered for the university Consolidation Programme which is a requirement of Social Care Wales in order to re-register. The Workforce Development coordinator will fund and offer support as needed for the programme.
For any queries/further discussion about sponsorship in RCT please contact Lindsey Haggar (Student Workforce Development Co-Ordinator) Lindsey.haggar@rctcbc.gov.uk
For any queries/further discussion about sponsorship in Merthyr please contact Samantha Lee (Student Development Workforce Coordinator) samantha.c.lee@rctcbc.gov.uk