In Wolverhampton we will support you to be the social worker you want to be and this includes supporting your learning at all stages of your social work career. We also offer a variety of progression opportunities that aren’t just focussed on a journey into management. In our most recent Health Check survey 90% of social workers told us that they are happy with the training and development opportunities available to them in Wolverhampton.
This includes:
3 social work briefings a year featuring external speakers, important updates and opportunities for discussion and peer reflection, as well as hearing from senior leaders
Annual Joint Adults and Children’s Social Work Conference – our social workers told us the last conference was: “"Inspirational and inspiring"; “Thought provoking and very relevant”
Regular reflective sessions in teams lead by Advanced Practitioners who also offer 1:1 support and deliver workshops
Practice Educator Stage 1 and 2 and Placement Supervisor opportunities – additional payments made to those taking on these roles and we support you to retain your PE currency
Best Interest Assessor and Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) opportunities for adults and children’s social workers
Coaching and mentoring support
Research and academic opportunities, which has included teaching consultant roles with local universities, PhD sponsorships and supporting social work degree programmes
Access to Research in Practice and Research in Practice for Adults
Varied and regular training – some recent examples include: child on parent violence; working with teenagers; working with perpetrators of domestic abuse/sexual abuse; supporting parents with learning difficulties; motivational interviewing; court skills; trauma informed practice; trauma informed supervision for managers; cultural competence; supporting autistic people during Care Act conversations; understanding the Care Act; s42 safeguarding enquiries; learning from local Safeguarding Adult Reviews and Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews; using language restoratively and supporting people who hoard
Annual session with Social Work England regional lead
Leadership and Management programmes plus a programme for aspiring leaders and support for new managers
Secondment opportunities to test out different roles and learn new skills
Hear how progression and development is a key priority in Wolverhampton for social workers
Routes into social work
City of Wolverhampton Council also supports a range of programmes for those looking to become social workers including Frontline, Step Up and Social Work Apprenticeships. We work closely with our local Universities to offer placements to social work students in their second and final years and we regularly advertise Newly Qualified Social Work positions throughout the year.