The SSSC have outlined the following conditions that need to be made available to support NQSWs to have the best start to their career available. These Employer Supports are essential, and further guidance can be available on the Employer’s section of the SSSCs Website.

NQSWs in Falkirk Council will be allocated a Supervisor who would either be their Assistant Team Manager or their Team Manager. NQSW and Supervisors should plan out the following from the outset of the Supported Year:

Induction
NQSWs will be offered an Induction that should reflect their needs, capabilities and strengths. There is a 2-week induction timetable included within the Pre-Employment Checklist and Induction Template and Supervisors should also consider arranging Shadowing opportunities with the Initial Response Team and other services to develop understanding. A Shadowing Request Form is found in the Recruitment, Induction and Retention section of Practitioner’s Pages.

All NQSWs should have their own copy of the Induction Planning and Tracking Record and works through this alongside their Supported Year.

Professional Development
All NQSWs will be offered three separate developmental meetings throughout their Supported Year with their Supervisor. These will be held at the beginning, middle and end of the Supported Year, and can be extended out for NQSWs on part time contracts. These meetings are:

• • Initial Development Discussion
  • Mid-Point Development Discussion
  • End of Year Development Discussion

It is essential that feedback is gathered from Professionals and people accessing services, their family and carers, and this is included within your Supervisor’s Feedback.

Professional Supervision
NQSWs should have professional Supervision with their Supervisor every 4 weeks (monthly). This may include Ad Hoc and Group Supervision arrangements.

Each supervision should include some time agreeing how the NQSW will spend their Protected Learning Time and record this on their Individual Development Plan (located at the end of the CPL Review Template).

Continuous Professional Learning
All NQSWs need to familiarise themselves with the Mandatory Learning Activities and begin recording their progress as they engage with their Continuous Professional Learning.

There is no set way to record your Mandatory Learning Activities. It is only asked that NQSWs ensure that their work can be accessed by their Supervisor and Workforce Development for sampling.

The SSSC may ask for evidence of some, all, or none of the Mandatory Learning Activities.

Protected Caseload
All NQSWs should have a caseload that reflects their development, capabilities and development plan. There is no set number of cases for each NQSW but it is agreed across services that caseloads should start small then develop in complexity and volume as they become more familiar with their service and responsibilities.

Protected Learning Time
All NQSWs should have Protected Learning Time ringfenced within their working week. Falkirk Council encourages either a half day per week or a full day per fortnight. These cannot be banked and there should be recognition that NQSWs will also manage their professional registration outside of their contracted hours with Falkirk Council.

Protected Learning Time should take place within your workplace and NQSWs and Supervisors should plan out how this time will be spent and agree actions on the Individual Development Plan.

All NQSWs should attend the NQSW Forums as part of their Protected Learning Time. This is an essential part of peer networking and development and will support NQSWs to evidence key Mandatory Learning Activities

Peer Support and Mentoring
NQSWs should be matched with an Advanced Practitioner in their service to mentor them and help them get familiar with working for Falkirk Council, demonstrating best Social Work practice.

NQSWs are invited to the NQSW Peer Learning Forum which is held monthly. Please check the NQSW Calendar for dates, times and locations.

NQSWs should be encouraged to network and build relationships within and outside of their service. Peer to peer learning is a valuable way to share in professional growth and work out how to get things right for you in Falkirk.