New professional standards for social workers Effective from 1 st November 2015

@NISCC_Comms #nisccstandards

Standards of Conduct Standards of Practice for Social Workers Standards of Practice for Social Care Workers Behaviour Attitudes Values Safe and competent practice Know Understand Be able to do Know Understand Be able to do

 We have updated the Code (Standards of Conduct) and developed Standards of Practice  They set out the universal standards expected of social workers and social care workers that they must uphold in order to be registered to practice in NI.  Effective from 1 November 2015

 Respectful and compassionate care  Consent  Effective use of the English language  Financial probity  Duty of candour  Social media use

 Delegation and personal accountability  Quality improvement  Dealing with conflict between professional and workplace requirements  Reporting fitness to practise concerns  Co-operating with investigations and inquiries

 Standards of Practice for Social Workers and Social Care Workers  Based on the National Occupational Standards for Social Work/Common Induction Standards

1. Manage your role as a professional social worker 4. Practise competently within your area of practice 9. Practise in multi- disciplinary and inter- agency contexts

5. Engage and participate with service users and carers 6. Assess needs, circumstances, risks, strengths and risks in partnership with those involved and respond appropriately 7. Use social work interventions to manage risk and improve outcomes for service users

2. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and evidence base for social work 3. Develop social work practice through supervision, consultation, reflection and analysis 8. Develop yourself and others

The Standards For Everyone’s Protection

Every one of the 23,000 social workers, students social workers and social care workers currently registered with NISCC is required to uphold the new Standards In addition, the Standards are relevant to a range of other groups who have day to day contact with social workers and social care workers, including:  employers  educators  service users and carers  general public  unions and professional bodies  other regulators and policy makers

 Our role is to set standards of conduct and practice  These are the standards that service users and the public tell us they expect  Across NI, registrants are proud to uphold these standards every day  The standards are of benefit to everyone who cares about social work or social care Educators can use the Standards to help students understand what it means to be a registered professional Employers can use them to support their staff in upholding standards as part of ensuring quality and safety Social workers and social care workers can use them as a way of reinforcing their professionalism Service users and carers can use them to provide feedback about the care they receive

NISCC Employer Team ‘You’

On-line resources Practice Guidance Employer Code On-going engagement

 Familiarise yourself with the Standards  Discuss the Standards with peers, managers and service users – what does it mean for your practice, what does it mean for your organisation – culture and practices?  Share your thoughts online on Facebook and on Twitter (using the hashtag #nisccstandards)  Learn more from the NISCC website:

You Your Employer NISCC