Be Inspired! Shirley Ayres Consulting

The 2009 SWET. RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP

The Trust invites applications from qualified  and experienced social workers planning to undertake a study/research project in the area of inter-professional or multi-agency practice . Applicants should complete  the Trust’s scholarship application form, and also submit a proposal of not more than 1,000 words, setting out the objectives, methodology, estimated costs, time-scale and intended outcomes of the research project. The scholarship is for £1,500

Application forms can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary, Social Workers’ Educational Trust, BASW, 16 Kent Street, Birmingham B5 6RD or from www.socialworkerseducationaltrust.org

The completed form with proposal must reach the above address by 12th May 2009

The ANNE CUMMINS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP is awarded annually for a study/research project on health related social work.

Successful candidates in recent years have carried out the following research topics:

2006 Investigation of the social factors that impact on hospital admissions of people over the age of 75.

2007 Death, dying and palliative care for adults with learning disabilities: a comparative study of practice in New Zealand and the UK

2008 Is closer working with Health or multidisciplinary working enhancing or hindering professional Social Work?

Applications for the 2009 Anne Cummins scholarship of £1,500 should include a research proposal of not more than 1,000 words, setting out objectives, methodology, estimated costs, time-scale and intended outcomes of the research. The proposal with the completed application form should be sent to Hon. Secretary, Social Workers’ Educational Trust, BASW, 16 Kent Street, Birmingham B5 6RD by the 12th May 2009

Further details and application forms are available from Pam Green at the BASW office, or from the website www.socialworkerseducationaltrust.org

Tags: anne cummins, research scholarships, social workers educational trust, swet

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“I have a life like everyone else. I deal with the problems we all have. I am not a person to be put in a box. Just because I am disabled does not mean that it is any different for me.”

See me now, see me now
The person they said no
The person they said could never do,
See me now, see me now,
The person with a home,
The person with a family,
The person with a life,
See me now  

I first met Shirley when she was running a pilot programme for Skills for Care London region to encourage service users and carers to contribute to the education and training of social workers. My poem was inspired and written at one of the sessions.

I was subsequently invited to participate in the Social Workers Educational Trust conference. I have trained as a mentor and contributed to a number of working groups.

But I do have a number of challenging questions about how all the principles of service user involvement and participation in social care will become a reality. I am told by one organisation that they cannot pay me as a trainer because this will affect my benefits but another organisation is able to make a contribution towards my costs. This needs to be sorted out. I do not know if the new guidance published recently by Skills for Care will really make a difference to me. In the meantime if you would like an independent voice on your committee, board or panel get in touch!!

Tags: be inspired, communication, conference, disability, engaging people who use services, involving service users, janet jackson, swet

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Tags: grants and scholarships, post qualifying education and training, social workers educational trust, swet

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• 2009 Research Scholarships from the Social Workers Educational Trust
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• Funding Sources for Post Qualifying Education

Sadly there are only a limited range of funding sources available to support students undertaking Post-Qualifying awards in social work within the revised PQ Framework. At a time when resources are being limited it should be a matter of concern to the profession that there are no ring fenced funds for post qualifying education and training in England. Whilst some employers are very generous there is a marked lack of consistency about access to post qualifying training especially at higher specialist and advanced level. Voluntary organisations are particularly hard pressed to support their staff.

Maybe we need a performance indicator or benchmark for the investment in post qualifying training made by social work employers or do we still have to argue the business case?

Funding sources in England include:

Local Authority Grants

From April 2008, the Adult Social Care Workforce contribution (Department of Health) and Children’s Social Care Workforce contribution (Department for Children Schools and Families) will form part of local authorities non-ring fenced Area Based Grant.   These grants are to assist with the training and development of the social care workforce, and it is recommended that local authority employers support post-qualification training via these grants. These funding streams replace the National Training Strategy and Human Resource Development Strategy grants previously provided. 

Post Qualifying Bursary Fund

Skills for Care and the Children’s Workforce Development Council jointly offer bursaries for PQ Awards in social work for candidates who do not have an employer including locum, freelance or independent social workers. For further information about eligibility contact your regional office at www.skillsforcare.org.uk or www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

Career Development Loans

Social workers can apply for an interest-free Career Development Loan (CDL) of between £300 and £8,000 to fund vocational, work-related courses. These are available through Barclays Bank, The Co-operative Bank and The Royal Bank of Scotland as a result of an arrangement with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for candidates who are unable to pay for the course themselves; are not eligible for any other funding; and are intending to work in the European Union upon completion. See www.direct.gov.uk/cdl for details.

Educational Trust and Grant Funding

Educational trusts are charitable organisations that award grants for educational purposes to organizations or individuals. Eligibility criteria for funding are varied with limited criteria, such as only assisting study for a particular profession; at a specific academic level; or relating to a specific geographical area. Some universities offer bursaries. Further information from public libraries or the university you are interested in attending.

Social Workers’ Educational Trust (SWET)

SWET aims to assist qualified social workers to develop their knowledge and skills; encourage research into social work practice; and educate the public about the nature of social work. Small grants up to £300 are available for social workers with at least two years post qualifying practice. The Trust also grants more substantial annual research scholarships. www.socialworkerseducationaltrust.org.uk

Tags: career development loans, local authorities, pq funding, swet

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