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Social Work Ambassador Scheme Guidance
July 2015
Social Work Ambassador Scheme
Ambassadorsfor SocialWorkNorthern Ireland
Produced by; Northern Ireland Social Care Council 7th Floor, Millennium House 19-25 Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7AQ Tel: 028 9536 2985 Email: [email protected] Website: www.niscc.info
© NISCC, July 2015
Contents
1. Social Work Ambassador Service
1
1.1. Background, aims and outcomes
1
1.2. Social Work Ambassadors: What is their role?
4
1.3. Who benefits from the Social Work Ambassador Scheme
4
1.4. Social Work Ambassador Scheme: How will it be implemented?
5
1.5. How to join the Social Work Ambassador Scheme?
7
1.6. Delivering Ambassador Activity – What does this involve?
8
1.7. Ambassador Support - Training and Resource Bank.
10
1.8. Ambassador Requests 10
1.9. Monitoring activity and impact 10
Appendix A: Principles and Policy
11
The Principles for NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme
12
The Principles for Co-ordinators of Social Work Ambassador Scheme
13
The Principles for Social Work Ambassadors
14
Appendix B: Registration Forms 16
Organisation Registration Form 17
Social Work Ambassador Registration Form 18
1
Social Work Ambassador Service
1.1. Background, aims and outcomes
Who does this document apply to?
This document applies to all social work employers, education providers and ambassadors
signing up to the Social Work Ambassador Scheme.
Background
The Social Work Ambassador Scheme is part of a wider initiative already in place in
Northern Ireland which aims to improve public awareness of social care and social work as
rewarding, valuable and long term career options.
In March 2014, the NISCC launched the NI Careers in Care Ambassador Service to
support recruitment across the care sector and to raise the profile of careers in this sector.
This service developed out of a two year project called - Recruiting a World Class
Workforce (RWCW) which aimed to recruit Ambassadors to promote and encourage
careers in care and to support employers to get the “right people” into the “right” jobs. This
project was a UK wide initiative and the NISCC worked in partnership with the Skills for
Care and Development partners (Skills for Care, Care Council for Wales and the Scottish
Social Care Council) to establish and embed the ambassador model within Northern
Ireland.
The NI Careers in Care Ambassador Service was very positively received by employers
and recipients of the service in Northern Ireland such as colleges and schools. The results
from the NISCC evaluation of the service in April 2015 found a high level of commitment
by employers currently providing social care ambassadors. “We strongly believe in the
need for an Ambassador service and are supportive of it - it is a worthwhile effort.” (NI
Ambassador Service Evaluation Report, April 2015).
As a template for achievement, the NI Careers in Care Ambassador Service has therefore
provided an invaluable parallel model on which the social work ambassador service will be
based.
Key Policy Drivers:
The impetus for the development of a social work ambassador scheme is further
supported by key policy directives. These directives focus on social workers as leaders,
collaborative workers and key players in the multi-disciplinary arena. They also highlight
the importance of clearly understanding the complexities of the social work role and the
skills needed. An ambassador model can raise awareness of these issues and support the
promotion of the profession.
2
The following policy directives are relevant to this project;
The PSS Training Strategy 2006-2016 includes leadership as a key component of
Strategic Priority 1.
The emphasis on strong effective management is underpinned by an implicit message
that this can only be achieved through the development of leadership skills.
The strategy emphasises how there is a commitment to promoting learning
organisations and encouraging the development of expertise and competence at all
levels.
Contained within the strategy is also a reference to ensuring the” talent and commitment
of staff at all levels”, an inclusion which dovetails with the principles underpinning the
development of the Social Work Ambassador scheme.
The PSS Training Strategy also places a specific significance on Priority 5,” Working in
Partnership.” It includes reference to shared learning across disciplines in order to
“support improved integration, partnership and team working.” There is an
acknowledgement that social workers are required to work closely with their health
colleagues but the strategy emphasises that they “must also engage with colleagues in
other sectors such as the police, the probation service, the court service and education
to carry out their duties effectively and ensure an holistic and integrated response to
people in need or at risk and to their families”. Implicit in this message is the necessity
for a comprehensive understanding of each other’s roles in order to provide that unified
seamless approach.
Transforming Your Care (2011) states that “professionals providing health and social
care services will be required to work together in a much more integrated way to plan and
deliver consistently high quality care.”
The report states that “Closer working together will be mandatory” and describes the
multi-disciplinary team as an “essential nucleus of support for patients and service
users.”
The Social Work Strategy (2012) which, by way of introduction, describes how the
improvement of social wellbeing is predicated on the effective collaboration of a wide range
of professions, agencies and sectors, further reflects this point.
The importance of skills in this area are emphasised in the strategy endorsing the fact
that social workers need to be skilled and confident in working in different multi-
disciplinary and inter-agency contexts.
One of the crucial roles of the social work ambassador will be to support social workers
who work in partnership within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams.
In Quality 2020, the 10 Year Strategy for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland
(2011) - one of the key objectives describes better use being made of multi-disciplinary
team-working along with shared opportunities for learning and development.
3
Through initiatives such as the Social Work Ambassador scheme opportunities for
shared learning and mutual understanding can be fostered.
The policy further emphasises the need to “support innovation and quality” and states
that there should be “...evidence of health and social care staff at all levels driving
quality improvements.”
In addition, “Standards should span health and social care sectors and be developed by
partnerships that include all those involved in providing and receiving a service.” The
development of such partnerships can pose significant challenges within certain work
settings e.g. the lone social worker in a multi-disciplinary team or the only social worker
in a small voluntary organisation.
A Readiness to Practise report published by NISCC in June 2013 and the Review of
the Degree in Social Work 2013/2014 also indicate that males and people from ethnic
minority groups are underrepresented in the social work profession. An Ambassador
model could go some way to targeting such groups and encourage consideration of this
career choice.
Aim of NI Ambassador Scheme:
The aim of the Social Work Ambassador scheme is to develop a sustainable parallel social
work ambassador model within Northern Ireland based on the existing NI Ambassadors for
Careers in Care model. The purpose of this scheme is to:
provide a realistic yet positive picture of what the social work role entails for those
considering the career– thereby providing “informed” choice into or out of the profession
at an early stage (pre-Degree);
ensure potential applicants are clear on the complexities of the social work role
including: the unique role of a social worker, the diversity of social work settings and
partnership working within a multidisciplinary team and across inter-agency contexts,
widen representation across gender and ethnicity minority groups,
build the social work identity within the sector by encouraging a focus on leadership at
all levels within the profession.
raise the profile of social work as a positive and valuable career choice and develop
good news stories to counter negative media coverage.
Key Outcomes of the Ambassador service/model.
A pool of trained voluntary Social Work Ambassadors representing all social work
areas of care, gender and ethnic minority groups.
Improved perception and understanding of the social work role from potential Degree in
Social Work applicants and multi-disciplinary colleagues.
Support for the emergence of a distinct social work identity.
Development of “good news” stories to counter negative media portrayal/profiling of
social workers and the social work profession.
4
1.2. Social Work Ambassador: What is their role?
Social Work Ambassadors are enthusiastic social workers and/or social work students
who are passionate about working in the social work profession or becoming a social
worker.
Social Work Ambassadors are prepared to share their experiences with those who are
considering a career in social work and those who do not understand the social work role.
This is to support these individuals to gain a better understanding about what the job
involves and to communicate the valuable and unique role of the social worker within our
communities and wider society.
Social Work Ambassadors will also work to foster pride in their profession and to counter the negative myths which are often associated with the profession.
1.3. Who benefits from Social Work Ambassadors?
Benefactors of the scheme can include: Social Workers, individuals considering a career in
social work, social work education providers, social work employers and people who use
social work services.
How will this help Social Workers?
It will help Social Workers develop their skills and foster pride in their profession.
It will help Social Workers develop their unique identity within multi-disciplinary teams.
It will help Social Workers develop leadership skills and become mentors for other Social Workers.
For those choosing to be Social Work Ambassadors, it can be used to accrue credits for a Professional in Practice submission and/or PRTL requirements.
How will this help those who are considering a career in Social Work?
The Social Work Ambassador Scheme provides a first-hand, current picture, of what it’s like to work in social work;
It provides the opportunity to ask questions and check understanding of social work.
It offers valuable and up to date information that will help people to make informed career decisions.
How will this help Social Work education providers?
It will help them attract more informed applicants who have a clearer understanding of what the role entails.
It will help them attract applicants with the right value base.
It will encourage wider representation across gender and ethnic minority groups.
5
How will this help Social Work employers?
It will help employers promote the unique role of the Social Worker within multi-disciplinary teams.
It will help develop Social Workers’ skills and foster pride in their profession.
How will this help people who use social work services?
They will be supported by professionals who have the right values and skills to provide high quality care services.
They will by supported by professionals who clearly understand their unique role within the social care sector.
They will be supported by individuals who are motivated and proud of their profession.
1.4. Social Work Ambassador Scheme: How will it be implemented?
Social Work Ambassador Reference Group:
A range of social work employers and education providers have come together in
partnership with the NISCC to establish a reference group. This reference will ensure all
stakeholder perspectives are represented and support the NISCC, as the lead partner.
The terms of reference of the group are as follows;
To agree the content of a Project Initiation Document (PID) for the Social Work
Ambassador Scheme.
To raise awareness of the development of the Social Work Ambassador Scheme within
own organisations.
To define the role of Social Work Ambassadors through the identification of knowledge,
skills and values concomitant with the role.
To identify a recruitment process for Ambassadors.
To ensure that the Scheme is informed by relevant policy direction.
To contribute to the development of the scheme pilot by engaging in work identified in
the PID.
To bring a range of stakeholder perspectives to the project.
To influence the promotion of social work as a positive career choice.
To influence the strengthening of the social work identity.
The role of the NISCC:
The NISCC will act as the lead partner and in partnership with the reference group will
manage and deliver the Social Work Ambassador Project and pilot.
6
The NISCC will do this by;
Providing staff to manage and deliver the Social Work Ambassador project aims and
objectives.
Developing a Project Initiation Document (PID) which sets out the aims and objectives
of the Social Work Ambassador Project and plans for the implementation of the project.
Establishing a project reference group to support the development and implementation
of the project aims and objectives.
In conjunction with the reference group, promoting the project within Northern Ireland
through the NISCC website, NISCC Face-book, twitter and email/post and other
relevant fora and events.
In conjunction with the reference group engaging with a wide range of social work
employers and education providers to obtain their commitment and sign up for the
project.
Recruiting social work professionals and students to become Ambassadors and
ensuring they are trained and registered as per registration guidance.
Acting as a central point for Ambassador requests, ensuring employers, education
providers and ambassadors are contacted in a timely manner and made aware of
requests.
Maintaining, reviewing and developing a Social Work Ambassador Resources Bank
and ensuring Ambassadors have access to same.
Providing information and updates to employers, education providers and
Ambassadors to support them to deliver ambassadorial activity.
Monitoring the progress and impact of the Ambassador Scheme to ensure it is being
delivered consistently and is meeting the aims and objectives of the project.
Social Work Ambassador Scheme Pilot:
The scheme will be piloted during 2015-2016 to establish and test commitment and impact
of a social work ambassador model within Northern Ireland.
The pilot period will be from September 2015 to March 2016 subject to ambassador
recruitment and training i.e. that there are available ambassadors trained to deliver
ambassadorial activity.
7
1.5. How to join the NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme:
Social work employers and/or social work education providers wishing to join the
scheme and participate in the pilot must register with the NISCC by completing an
organisation registration form. (See Appendix B). In completing this form, the
organisation is agreeing to sign up to the scheme’s Principles and Policies. The
organisation is also required to nominate a named Co-ordinator who will act as the
main contact and agree to support social workers and/or social work students who are
nominated to participate in the scheme.
Prior to registering, all organisations must confirm that they have read the NI Social
Work Ambassador Principles and Policies (See Appendix A). The Principles and
Policies define the key criteria and expectations for the NI Social Work Ambassador
Scheme.
Social Workers and/or social work students must obtain approval from their
organisation (employer/education provider) to join the scheme. Once they have been
approved, they can submit a Social Work Ambassador registration form. (See
Appendix B).
Ambassador registration information is used to determine the level of commitment of
each Ambassador and help the NISCC select appropriate Ambassadors when requests
are received. The following information is requested of each ambassador;
Name
Age range
Gender
Ethnic Minority Group
NISCC Registration Number
Job title
Organisation name
Contact details
County (county prepared to provide activity within)
Experience – areas of practice they have worked in
Audience – what type of audience they are prepared to work with
Services – type of activity they are prepared to provide
Organisations must ensure that all their Ambassadors abide by the Principles and
Policies.
Organisations must ensure that all Ambassadors complete Ambassador training prior
to undertaking activity. (See Page 10).
8
To become a Social Work Ambassador, individuals must be;
A qualified social worker or a social work student on an approved social work course in
Northern Ireland.
Registered with the NISCC.
Be willing to share their career journeys with those considering the social work
profession and/or their experience of applying to and undertaking an approved social
work course.
Be willing to share real experiences of their day to day practice. This is to allow them to
showcase what a social worker does on a daily basis to create a realistic picture of
their roles and to highlight the challenges and rewards that are involved.
Have the ability to communicate enthusiastically and positively about their own job
roles.
Agree to abide by a set of Principles and Policies and ensure that they conduct their
ambassadorial activities in a manner consistent with these Principles and Policies.
(See Appendix A). This includes adhering to the NISCC Standards of Conduct and
Practice.
1.6. Delivering Ambassador Activity – What does this involve?
Ambassador activities may include; giving a presentation to potential students attending a
university open day, talking to a small group of young people in a school or college who
are considering their career options, leading an interactive game or activity, facilitating a
discussion around a scenario or speaking to groups of teachers and careers advisors to
inform their understanding of the social work profession.
The full list of Ambassador activities that Social Work Ambassadors are asked to select
from at registration are as follows;
Giving formal presentations
Providing information talks or discussions
Engaging in interactive group activities
Supporting an information stand at events
Supporting work experience placements
Facilitating guided workplace visits
Participating in publicity/media activities
Ambassadors can begin by offering a small range of activity which may increase as their
confidence and skills grow. Social Work employers and education providers may already
have established links with local schools or colleges and be already providing this type of
activity which they could develop further. Whatever the level and type of activity being
9
offered – employers/organisations participating in the scheme must commit to a minimum
of one event/talk per year when they join the scheme.
Who are the target audiences for ambassador services? Requests for social work ambassadors are made by organisations such as: schools; colleges; universities and careers advisory organisations. These are the intended “customers” and target audience of the Ambassador Scheme. Social Work Ambassador services may be delivered to some or all of the following settings: This is not an exhaustive list.
Social Work Ambassadors
Universities
Schools
Community Groups
Multi-Disciplinary Colleagues
DEL Careers Service
10
1.7. Ambassador Support – Training and Resources: Ambassador Training:
Before social workers and/or social work students begin the practical work of an
Ambassador, it is important that they understand their role, the support they can expect
and the resources available to them.
The NISCC will provide Ambassadors with training to help them understand their role and
the support available to them. This training will be delivered in one face to face session. All
Ambassadors must complete this training prior to delivering ambassadorial activity.
The NISCC will develop resources as deemed relevant and ensure Ambassadors have
access to these.
1.8. Ambassador Requests
During the project timeframe, requests from customers for Social Work Ambassadors will
be redirected to the relevant organisations providing ambassadors. Any requests received
by an employers/education providers directly should be copied to the NISCC to ensure
requests can be evaluated and measured.
The NISCC will negotiate and manage all arrangement/activity directly with customers and
ensure that ambassadors are briefed prior to the activity/event. This can include; dates
and timing of a talk for example or the exact nature of the activity they are prepared to
provide.
1.9. Monitoring activity and impact
The NISCC will develop evaluation forms to be used by Ambassadors during the project.
These evaluation forms will be used to monitor activity and the impact of the Ambassador
pilot/project. Employers and ambassadors must agree to ensure evaluation forms are
completed and returned to the NISCC after each event/talk.
11
Appendix A: Social Work Ambassador
Principles and Policy
12
The Principles and Policy for Organisations of the NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme Eligibility: To be eligible to join the NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme, you will
Be a social work employer or an approved social work provider who has signed up to
participate in the scheme;
Expectations: In registering to join the NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme, you agree to:
Complete an organisation registration form nominating a scheme Co-ordinator.
Ensure that all those who register with the service are eligible to be Social Work
Ambassadors.
Ensure that all ambassadors understand and abide by the Principles and Polices for
the scheme.
Ensure Ambassadors complete the Ambassador training before undertaking any
activity and support them to attend at least one activity per year.
Ensure that all Ambassadors have completed the registration process and these
details are kept up to date.
Ensure that requests for Ambassadors are dealt with efficiently and professionally
and in a timely manner.
Ensure Ambassadors promote social work using impartial, non-biased information.
Ensure your Ambassadors deliver their roles in a way that reinforces the positive
reputation of the Ambassadors model being delivered within Northern Ireland.
Ensure your Ambassadors return all evaluations to the NISCC to assist with the
monitoring of the pilot.
Notify the NISCC of any complaints including referrals to conduct regarding your
Ambassadors.
13
The Principles and Policy for Co-ordinators of the NI Social Work Ambassadors Scheme
Eligibility: As a NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme Co-ordinator you will:
Be nominated by your employer or education provider to co-ordinate your Ambassador
Scheme on their behalf.
Expectations:
As a NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme Co-ordinator you will:
Be the main contact person for your Ambassador Scheme, providing your contact
name, an email address and a telephone number as part of your organisations
registration to join the scheme.
Support your employers/education provider to select appropriate social workers or
students to become social work ambassadors.
Ensure that your Ambassador/s are trained and supported to deliver ambassadorial
activity.
Ensure “requests” are responded to efficiently and information is communicated
effectively.
Support your employer/education provider to gather and forward data and information
to the NISCC on behalf of your organisation, as required and appropriate.
Ensure that your organisation is notified when customers or others raise concerns or
Ambassadors fail to abide by the Principles and Policy of the scheme.
Inform the NISCC of any fundamental changes regarding your Ambassador/s including;
withdrawal from the scheme, failure to abide by Principles and Policy of the scheme
and any complaints made against your Ambassadors.
14
The Principles and Policy for Social Work Ambassadors of the NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme
Eligibility: As a Social Work Ambassador you will:
Be a social worker and/or a social work student who is registered with the NISCC.
Be supported by, a social work employer or a social work education provider who has
signed up to participate in the Social Work Ambassador Scheme.
Expectations: As a Social Work Ambassador you will:
Have passion, enthusiasm and a desire to tell your story about how and why you became a social worker or social work student.
Be able to communicate clearly with a range of people, promoting a positive image of the social work role within society to raise the profile and status of the social work profession.
Provide a first-hand, current picture of what it is like to work in social work and bring the working environment to life.
Ensure that those making career choices have access to information about a wide range of job roles within the social work profession and are presented with impartial, non-biased information.
Agree to complete Social Work Ambassador training before you start your role as an Ambassador and to continue to develop your knowledge and skills as may be outlined by your employer/education provider.
Advise your service Co-ordinator/organisation of any changes to your registration details.
Agree to abide by the Social Work Ambassadors conduct expectations (below).
Commit to giving some of your time to the Social Work Ambassador Scheme. (The amount of time and activity involved can vary depending on your level of commitment, please seek approval for your expected commitment with your employer/education provider.)
Ensure materials provided by the NISCC are not altered and are used appropriately.
15
Conduct:
As a Social Work Ambassador, you will commit to:
Treating the role offered as a professional assignment.
Behaving in a manner that presents your organisation and the sector in the best
possible light.
Being tolerant and treating people with dignity and respect.
Being punctual and giving adequate notice if unable to attend any agreed activities.
(The period of adequate notice should be agreed between parties delivering and
receiving the service at the outset.)
Refraining from any conduct or wrong-doing which may bring the profession into
disrepute, or behaving in a manner which would lead any reasonable person to question
your suitability to be an Ambassador or to act as a role model.
Adhering to the NISCC Standards of Conduct and Practice as a member of a regulated
profession and informing the NISCC and your employer/education provider if you have
breached these standards.
Using appropriate and acceptable verbal and non-verbal language.
Respecting the rights, religious or similar beliefs and cultural differences of individuals
and uphold equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices.
Providing information in a non-biased way and promoting relevant resources as
appropriate.
The diagram below shows key Ambassador Qualities:
AmbassadorQualities
Experienced
Enthusiastic
Knowledgeable
Positive Professional
Able to communicate
Tolerant/
Respectful
16
Appendix B: Registration Forms
17
Organisation Details:
Name of Organisation:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Name of Ambassador Co-ordinator (Organisation Co-ordinator):
Co-ordinator Contact Details:
Name of Nominated Ambassador(s):
I confirm that (Name of Organisation):_____________________________________
is a member of the NI Social Work Ambassador Scheme and hereby agrees to provide
Social Work Ambassador/s as per the Principles and Policies of this scheme.
We agree to nominate a staff member to act as the main Co-ordinator for our Social Work
Ambassador Service. This person will be responsible for our Ambassador/s and will
ensure that all Ambassadors have been registered and have undertaken/being supported
to undertake Social Work Ambassador training prior to starting Ambassadorial activity.
We agree it is the responsibility of the organisation to quality assure their Ambassadors; to
report any conduct referrals and to manage complaints if these arise.
We agree to inform the NISCC if we no longer wish to remain a part of this scheme and if
the Ambassador/s wants to step down or have been replaced.
Principles and Policies (tick that you have read and understood these):
Signature of Manager/Co-ordinator:
Date:
Social Work Ambassador
Organisation Registration Form
18
(1) First name:
(2) Surname:
(3) Age range:(Circle as appropriate) 16-24 25-49 50+
(4) Gender: (Circle as appropriate) Female Male
(5) NISCC Registration Number:
(6) Job Title:
(7) Organisation Name:
(8) Contact details: (Include
telephone number and email).
(9) Ethnic Minority Group: (Circle to
indicate which of the following
applies to you):
White Chinese Irish Traveller
Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi
Other Asian
Black Caribbean
Black African
Black Other
Mixed ethnic group (please state which):
Any other ethnic group (please state which):
(10)Please select area where you would be willing to travel (tick all counties that apply)
Antrim [ ] Armagh [ ] Down [ ] Fermanagh [ ] Derry / Londonderry [ ] Tyrone [ ]
(11)Experience - who do you have experience working with (tick all that apply)?
Children and young people [ ] Older people [ ] People with autistic spectrum conditions [ ] People with learning disabilities [ ] People with mental health needs [ ] People with physical disability [ ] People with sensory impairment [ ] Other (please specify): _______________________________________________________________
[ ]
Social Work Ambassador
Registration Form
June 2015
19
(12)Audience – what type of audience would you like to work with (tick all that applies)?
Career advisors [ ] Colleges / training providers [ ] Community groups [ ] Employment advisors [ ] Schools [ ] Teachers / Educators [ ] Unemployed [ ] Universities [ ] Other (please specify): [ ]
(13)Services – what services would you be able to provide (tick all that apply)?
Formal presentation [ ] Informal talk or discussion [ ] Interactive group activity [ ] Information stand [ ] Guided workplace visit [ ] Media / publicity e.g. promotional materials like DVD [ ] Mentoring new people to the sector [ ] Supporting a workplace opportunity [ ] Other (please specify): [ ]
I have read the Social Work Ambassador Principles and Policy and agree to abide by these
principles. (Please indicate below)
I (the co-ordinator) confirm that this Ambassador is a Social Worker and/or Social Work Student
and is registered with the NISCC.
Social Work Ambassador Principles and
Policy: (Yes/No)
Registered Social Worker/ Social Work
Student: (Indicate as appropriate)
Signature of Social Work Ambassador:
Name of Organisation Co-ordinator/Manager:
Signature of Organisation Co-ordinator/Manager:
Date:
Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. Please return completed forms to