Assessed and Supported Year in Employment ( ASYE ) Liz Bord – Wiltshire County Council Kay Renshaw – Dorset County Council

Assessed and Supported Year in Employment ( ASYE ) Builds on Newly Qualified Social Worker Programme (NQSW) Assessed against Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) Linked to induction, probation, appraisal, employer standards and supervision framework, CPD and Partnerships therefore employer ‘owned’ Holistic approach to assessment with core plus optional elements Process for moderation and Pass or Fail Element Certificate issued by The College of Social Work

Professional Capabilities Framework

Principles of Holistic Assessment for ASYE Development of a conceptual understanding of social work practice Integrates all areas necessary for supporting the development of “professional expertise” More accurately reflects the complexity of the social work role. Provides a coherent account of practice demonstrating understanding, analysis and capacity to critically reflect. Based in everyday practice - starts from analysis of the user’s situation, and reflection on all aspects of the intervention to provide a more informed service. Development is assessed over time – demonstrating the capacity for CPD McNay M, Clarke J, Lovelock R, The Journey toward Professionalism in Social Work: Conference paper JSWEC 2010

Use of the PCF in Holistic Assessment for ASYE Nine capabilities interdependent because they interact in professional practice. Capabilities need to be assessed as a whole; reference could be made to specific capability statements, but assessors should not focus on addressing each one separately. The PCF reflects the increasing skills of social workers (assessors) to make professional judgements. However : Statements enable clear identification of areas that need further development when concerns are identified.

Domains within the PCF PROFESSIONALISM - Identify and behave as a professional social worker, committed to professional development VALUES AND ETHICS - Apply social work ethical principles and values to guide professional practice DIVERSITY - Recognise diversity and apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles in practice RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING - Advance human rights and promote social justice and economic wellbeing KNOWLEDGE - Apply knowledge of social sciences, law and social work practice theory CRITICAL REFLECTION AND ANALYSIS - Apply critical reflection and analysis to inform and provide a rationale for professional decision-making INTERVENTION AND SKILLS - Use judgement and authority to intervene with individuals, families and communities to promote independence, provide support and prevent harm, neglect and abuse CONTEXTS AND ORGANISATIONS - Engage with, inform, and adapt to changing contexts that shape practice. Operate effectively within own organisational frameworks and contribute to the development of services and organisations. Operate effectively within multi-agency and inter-professional settings PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP - Take responsibility for the professional learning and development of others through supervision, mentoring, assessing, research, teaching, leadership and management

Principles and conditions for holistic assessment Assessment is progressive over a period of time (e.g. initial qualifying placement, ASYE), leading to effective summative assessment. Assessment must be consistent with the appropriate PCF level descriptor, and include sufficiency and depth of evidence across all nine domains. Individual capability statements will be important in terms of providing detail of expectations for each domain, and particularly significant to identify gaps, areas of development or concerns. The assessment process and judgement must be trustworthy, reliable and transparent (e.g. include clear guidance in handbooks, assessment panels, triangulated evidence, audit trails ) Evidence must include the ability to reflect critically, including reference to different sources of knowledge and research. The learner will contribute evidence for assessment but the professional judgement of sufficiency must be made by a registered social worker (at initial qualifying level, assessors must meet the Practice Educator Professional Standards).

Evidence of Capability • Core content (presented to the assessor) – must include - supervision records - direct observation - case records • ‘Critical' reflection – integral to all evidence from direct practice – a reflection on direct practice submitted towards the end of the year • Service user feedback – implicit or explicit? – or part of a wider 360 approach for feedback use as part of the evidence.

Evidence of Capability Defined by; practice undertaken throughout the year a range of work (relevant to the employment setting) typically drawn from at least 5 examples of direct practice BUT determined by quality of evidence. – quality of evidence determined by PCF

Evidence of Capability Optional – - other activities that an employer chooses to include in a programme of learning and/or development - related to organisational requirements - related to setting specific requirements

Evidence of Support Confirmation that these have been in place during assessment period – Reflective supervision Workload management Professional Development Plan Development time Learning Contract - Employer Standards Group should support this Would incorporate the purpose of 'confirmation' Covers whole year

Professional judgement of assessor Increased scope and responsibility for judgement of the candidate’s ability to develop over the nine capabilities to the level specified. Execution of professional judgement – need to be empowered and supported. Development of confidence in professional judgements.

References Proposals for the assessment model for the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). Ambition to Reality Conference, Taunton. Spring 2012 The Assessed and Supported Year in Employment: Further information to support the briefing for employers. www.skillsforcare.org.uk/asye The College of Social Work : Understanding what is meant by Holistic Assessment http://www.collegeofsocialwork.org/uploadedFiles/TheCollege/_CollegeLibrary/Reform_resources/holistic-assessmentASYE1.pdf The College of Social Work – The Professional Capabilities Framework http://www.collegeofsocialwork.org/pcf.aspx