Be Inspired! Shirley Ayres Consulting

 Supporting Best Practice through the Post Qualifying Awards – A series of PQ Information Seminars for managers across London .

The Post Qualifying Framework is designed to develop well-rounded practitioners, confident about working in inter professional and inter-agency contexts with the capacity to respond to, and effect, change. 

Skills for Care London and the CWDC have organised a series of PQ seminars across London for managers to explore the benefits of supporting staff to undertake a Post Qualifying Award. A number of universities will be contributing their thoughts about how post qualifying education developments are addressing the policy drivers underpinning workforce reform including the Personalisation Agenda, Transforming Adult Social Care, Every Child Matters and the Social Work Taskforce. The seminars are being facilitated by Shirley Ayres – Communications Consultant, publisher of Be Inspired an online resource for social work and formerly Chief Officer GLPQ. 

Managers are invited to attend one of these unique seminars to find out how the Post Qualifying Awards: 

o Develops and enhances social work values, knowledge and skills

o Broadens knowledge of social policy and legislation 

o Increases the use of evidence based practice

o Encourages more effective networking and collaboration with colleagues from different backgrounds 

o Enhances the sharing of knowledge and skills within teams

o Confirms the status of the consultant social worker

All attendees will receive a copy of the new Skills for Care London and CWDC publication “Making Sense of the Post Qualifying Awards – A Brief Guide for London Employers” .

Places are limited and advance booking is essential. If you have not yet received an invitation and would like to attend one of the seminars please contact the sub regional Post Qualifying/Practice Learning Co-ordinator listed below for a booking form and further information.

North West London Sub Regional Seminar – 25th February 9.45 – 1.00 Hammersmith Town Hall,

Dionne.Collins@lbhf.gov.uk 

South East  London Sub Regional Seminar- 26th February 9.45 – 2pm (including lunch)  -   London South Bank University

helen.moss@southwark.gov.uk 

North East London Sub Regional Seminar – 2nd March 9.45 – 1.00  Mulberry Place Town Hall

ali.rusbridge@towerhamlets.gov.uk

North Central London Sub Regional Seminar 4th March 2.00 – 5.00 The Resource Centre, Holloway Road

Tags: post qualifying awards, pq information seminars for managers, researching the impact of post qualifying awards

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 Round Two for Practitioner-Led Research 2008-09 - Integrated Working

Following the conclusion of the assessment process for Practitioner Led Research p (PLR) this year, the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) are able to offer practitioners the opportunity to take part in a second round of applications. This chance has arisen due to too few applications from research teams who fall within CWDC’s footprint. 

The closing date for the second round is Wednesday 3 September

If you are interested in applying to take part in PLR please contact Lucy Emsley (Research Assistant) on 0113 3907789 or lucy.emsley@cwdcouncil.org.uk for further information about PLR

If you would like to register for an application pack please contact tenders@cwdcouncil.org.uk

Tags: cwdc, plr, practitioners, research, Social Work

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The Guardian are to be congratulated on their continuing series of public debates exploring issues of communication and connections between the state and it’s citizens. The format of presentations followed by questions and answers encourages lively discussion and debate and a range of , sometimes radical, perspectives.

Connecting to citizens in a consumer age.
Thursday September 25 2008, 6pm-9pm RIBA, Portland Place, London.

Special guest speaker Alexis Cleveland, the director general for transformational government at the Cabinet Office.

I attended the last debate which was both stimulating and challenging and I would recommend booking a place. How do we translate the vision behind words such as transformational, personalization and engagement into meaningful actions that will make a real difference to the quality of life we all experience? When using state services are we consumers, clients, customers or service users? Do we have different expectations of different public services especially if they are “free” at the point of delivery? The evening is free to attend. To register your place please email gemma.dixon@guardian.co.uk

A word of advice, these events are booked out very quickly so, if you would like to attend book your place as soon as possible. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The Guardian, With the help of their partners for the evening, A&T Kearney, will be looking at the issues surrounding how the public sector understands and responds to the needs of citizens.

Over the past two years, much progress has been made towards the ambitious vision set out in 2006 by Sir David Varney for a reform of public services with a focus on more personalized services and greater engagement with citizens. There is now greater choice for people and more involvement of citizens in reform. However, delivering some aspects of this vision has proved a challenge, particularly given difficulties in cross-government working and understanding customers’ needs.

We will examine some of the barriers that hinder change, including an apparent lack of confidence in government data handling, the challenges of developing joined-up services across central and local government, and building a more detailed understanding of customers’ needs.

Alexis Cleveland, director general for transformational government at the Cabinet Office , will be the  keynote speaker. She will be joined on the panel by Pat Harding, customer services director of Cambridgeshire county council, and Bernard Quinn, head of strategy and planning at NHS Direct. The evening will be conducted under the Chatham House rule, allowing a frank and unattributable exchange of views which will then form the basis for a report in the November edition of Public magazine.

Tags: alexis cleveland, cabinet office, chatham house rules, connecting in a consumer age, guardian debate, public magazine, transformational

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The recent controversial comments made by Boris Johnson’s political adviser James McGrath, and his subsequent resignation, have brought the issue of language and what it really says about us back into the headlines.

This free event will explore our use of language, and what, if anything, we should and shouldn’t say. Is there such a thing as “political correctness” and has it gone too far? What is the role of religious sensitivities?

The debate will seek to explore how we get along as a nation, speak a common language and understand the difference between freedom of expression and deliberate and hurtful insult.

This is the second RSA event co-hosted with the Commission under the Open to Question banner.

Panel debate to include Trevor Phillips, chair, EHRC, Rod Liddle, former editor, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and Ziauddin Sardar, writer and academic. Chair: Matthew Taylor, chief executive, RSA

Tuesday 15 July, 6pm RSA 8 John Adam Street London WC2N 6EZ

Book now

Tags: equal opportunities, language, permission to speak, political correctness, royal society of arts

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What makes a good psychiatrist – this challenging question is being asked by Professor Dinesh Bhugra President, Royal College of Psychiatrists who is speaking at the 2nd UK Mental Health Social Work Continuing Professional Development Conference on Friday 11 July 2008. The conference theme Mental Health Social Work: Opportunities and Challenges encompasses a wide range of topical issues.

Share your thoughts about what you believe makes a good psychiatrist and the book which has most influenced your thinking about mental health issues by completing the online survey launched by the Institute of Psychiatry Kings College. Comments from the survey will be addressed by Professor Bhugra in his presentation at the conference.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 has framed a number of new roles including the Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP), the Responsible Clinician and the Independent Mental Health Advocate. These roles could be undertaken by a broader group of professionals. What are the implications for social work practice?

The full conference programme and application form can be downloaded here. Mental Health Social Work Conference 11 July 2008 Flyer and Booking Form.pdf (73.02 kb)

Tags: institute of psychiatry, mental health, what makes a good psychiatrist

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  Skills for Care and Children’s Workforce Development Council have announced that the original PQ Bursary Criteria has been extended. However, a speedy application is advised because the first deadline is the 11th July 2008. Retrospective applications (from September 2007) are being considered provided you meet the other criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to apply for a bursary, you should be working towards either the GSCC approved Post-qualifying Specialist Award in Social work, the Post Qualifying Higher Specialist Award in Social Work, or the Advanced Award in Social Work.

• Candidates, with the exception of People who use Services who are formally supporting education, must have a GSCC-recognised social work qualification, be registered on the Social Care Register and provide their GSCC Social Care Register number.

• Bursary funding will only be awarded to candidates working towards Post Qualifying Awards who:

o Do not have an employer i.e. those who are responsible for their own national insurance contributions.  This may include freelance or independent social workers who are sole traders or who have their own limited companies. Social workers who source their work via recruitment companies are not eligible for the PQ bursary and are encouraged to have a discussion with their recruitment company about their PQ needs.

o Are social workers who work for one or more employers on contracts of 12 hours or less, excluding those who have a permanent contract with a local authority.

o People who use services who are formally supporting social work education.

o Social workers working for small voluntary or not-for-profit organisations who employ a total of 50 registered social workers or less.

Candidates must be resident in the UK at the time of applying and have been for the previous 3 years and must undertake the majority of their work in England.

If you are a CAFCASS candidate, including self-employed, you are under contract to the Department for Children, Schools and Families and therefore this funding, from the Department of Health, is not available to you.

Tuition Fees

Bursary awards can only be provided to support tuition fees for GSCC approved PQ programmes or modules. Applicants must provide documentary evidence (e.g. a copy of a letter from a university) that they have been offered a place on the programme of study for which they require funding. 

Retrospective applications will be considered for candidates who are currently undertaking programmes which started this academic year (from September 2007).

Candidates who already have confirmed places for programmes starting in September/October 08 may also apply at this stage. However, in allocating the limited funds available, priority will be given to candidates currently undertaking programmes.

There will be future bursary rounds from autumn 2008 forwards although the closing dates are not yet available. Further information and the application form can be downloaded as PDF files or as word documents Criteria for PQ Bursaries appendix A final.doc (37.50 kb) and national bursary application final 30[1].05.doc (159.00 kb)

Tags: cwdc, deadline, eligibility criteria, post qualifying courses, pq bursaries, registered social workers, skills for care

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Refugee Week takes place from the 16th – 22nd June. It will be celebrated by a UK wide programme of events which celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK.

During Refugee Week hundreds of events exploring refugee experiences take place across the UK. These range from small community and school activities to art exhibitions, political debates, film screenings, conferences, big music festivals, sports events etc…Find out what is happening in your area.

Anyone can get involved in Refugee Week either by organising or visiting an event or by just spreading the word!

I love the idea of Small Actions and the Refugee Week UK team are looking for ideas for ‘small actions’ that could help change the way British born people and refugees see ach other. A small action could be anything from inviting a refugee friend to share a cup of tea with your grandpa to learning to say hello in a different language. Any action that, when performed by lots of people, can lead to big changes. Refugee week are collecting as many serious, silly and simple actions as they can. I like the idea of being able to say hello in at least 20 languages! Check out Small Action for inspiration and add your own!

Social work has always championed social justice and should be at the forefront of challenging the same old myths and scare stories which are constantly being given airspace and by extension credibility. The truth is in short supply. This leaflet, produced by the Refugee Council, lists these facts and figures that you can rely on.more information

Tags: challenge stereotypes, inspired, refugee week, say hello on 20 languages, small actions, social justice, Social Work

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Every year in June, artists and craftspeople across the south east of England open their doors to the public. It is a unique opportunity to meet, talk to and see them at work as part of the South East Open Studios event. Visit the South East Open Sudios website

This event takes place from the 6th – 22nd June 2008. A wide range of work will be on show from traditional oil and watercolours to photographs, ceramics, textiles and fine metalwork. The event is free to the public and a full colour guide including a description of each artist’s work with contact details, travel directions and a map is available as a download from this link

Open Studio events have developed nationally and internationally over the last 20 years to encourage artists to open their own studios to the public and the events are usually organised and managed by the artists themselves.

Tags: artists, great days out, open studios, public access, seos, sharing creativity, south east open studios

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A free evening lecture and book launch to celebrate the publication of ‘The McDonaldization of Social Work’ featuring Peter Beresford, Director of the Centre for Citizen Participation and Donna Dustin, author of ‘The McDonaldization of Social Work’ is being held at London Metropolitan University on Thursday 5th June. 

“Donna Dustin’s The McDonaldization of Social Work is, by far, the best of the efforts to apply the McDonaldization thesis to various aspects of the social world. ….it offers great insight into the practice of social work today, its problems, as well as steps to be taken to deal with them, specially those created by excessive McDonaldization.”

George Ritzer

Speakers: Professor Peter Beresford – Director, Centre for Citizen Participation and Dr. Donna Dustin – Principal Lecturer, BSc Social Work London Metropolitan University

Chair – John Gabriel, Head of Applied Social Sciences

Thursday 5 June 2008 at 6pm Room LHB04, Ladbroke House, 62-66 Highbury Grove N5 2AD

Just 5 minutes walk through Highbury Fields from Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line) and overland from Old Street/Moorgate;

Buses 4, 19, 30, 43, 271, 277 & 393

Did you attend – add your thoughts to this post

Tags: book launch. macdonaldization of social work, donna dustin, london metropolitan, peter beresford, Social Work

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