Training and development

We want you to develop your practice, proficiency and professionalism within the ever-changing world of Adult Social Services.

Norfolk County Council is part of the Suffolk and Norfolk Social Work Teaching Partnership, a collaboration between Norfolk County Council, the University of East Anglia (UEA), the University of Suffolk and Suffolk County Council. It is part of a Government initiative led by the Department of Education and Department of Health and Social Care to enhance social work education and practice to improve the experiences and outcomes for service users and carers.

We aspire to embed a learning culture that permeates through all levels of social work practice.

Together we're continually building and shaping the teaching offer with contributions from frontline social workers, managers and service users to ensure Norfolk County Council's social work education, training and practice is the very best it can be.

We aim to:

• Join up social work training, learning and practice
• Improve recruitment, retention and development of social workers
• Improve the overall quality of social work practice

All our social workers get the opportunity to study for fully funded modules towards an MA in Social Work. We also offer leadership and management training modules designed to enhance your skills and may support career progression.

CPD pathway

Our CPD pathway provides opportunities for clear progression within Adult Services with a structured learning and development plan, tailored to meet your needs both personally and professionally.

Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW)

All newly qualified social workers who join Norfolk County Council benefit from an enhanced level of support alongside the standard National Assisted and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE) programme when you join Norfolk County Council. This enhanced support is delivered through our unique Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE) scheme and helps to prepare you for the challenging yet rewarding world of social work.

Start your career with:

• A protected caseload that builds gradually over the year in terms of case numbers and complexity, so that you gain a good foundation and range of skills
• A dedicated practice consultant, who is an experienced social worker, to support you with reflective supervision and tailored 1-1 support throughout your first year of practice
• Regular peer workshops, giving you the opportunity to meet with others on the Assessed and Supported Year ASYE, to reflect on practice, develop knowledge and learn from each other
• Dedicated training throughout your ASYE, as well as the benefits of our teaching partnership with the University of East Anglia (UEA). You can study for fully funded modules towards an MA level qualification in Advanced Social Work.
• The chance to learn from the more experienced social workers in your team through reflective sessions and co-working on more complex cases

Norfolk County Council has a proven track record of investment in newly qualified social workers. We will help you to become the best social worker that you can be with great opportunities for career progression.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the NQSW programme you must:

• Be nearing successful completion or have already qualified as a social worker
• Have, or be applying for, your Social Work England (SWE) registration. (We know you may not have this at interview if you are still finishing your course - but it must be in place before you can become a Level 1 social worker.)
• You may be able to start as an assistant practitioner while you are waiting for your degree and SWE registration to be confirmed

Occupational Therapy Preceptorship Programme

This is a new programme of support, development, and assessment to support occupational therapists who are either newly qualified, new to working in social care, or who are returning to practice for the first 18 months of employment.

The programme helps you to develop your skills, knowledge, and capability and strengthens your professional confidence.

Over the course of the preceptorship programme, you will consolidate your learning from the occupational therapy degree and any prior experience to develop knowledge and experience in your employment setting, with access to regular and focused support and development opportunities. The preceptorship ensures an effective bridge from initial training to confident employee and enables you to start and maintain a record of continues professional development as part of the HCPC standards of proficiency.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Occupational Therapy Preceptorship Programme you must:

• Have recently qualified as an occupational therapist by successfully completing either the Occupational Therapy BSc, MSc or Postgraduate Diploma or Occupational Therapy apprenticeship within NCC
• Be registered with the HCPC
• Be employed on either a substantive or preceptorship NCC contract

You may be able to start working for us as an assistant practitioner while you are waiting for your degree and professional registration.

If you are returning to practice, are new to working in social care or have less than 18 months experience within a social care setting since qualifying, you may also be eligible to join the programme. You can discuss it with the Principal Occupational Therapist once you are appointed.