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Programmes leading to a post-qualifying award in higher specialist social work will offer valuable professional qualifications closely related to new roles now emerging in the context of workforce development. Within the PQ framework, higher specialist work is also an essential component of the post-qualifying award in advanced social work.
The higher specialist level of the PQ framework is associated with complex decision making and high levels of professional responsibility. Higher specialist programmes are for those who have already demonstrated competence in-depth. In order to satisfy approval requirements, higher specialist programmes will need to show how they will enable qualified social workers to:
- Meet the academic standards for work at level M in the QAA framework.
- Use independent critical judgement to systematically develop their own practice and that of others in the context of the GSCC codes of practice, national and international codes of professional ethics and the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations including those associated with inter-agency and inter-professional work.
- Demonstrate a substantially enhanced level of competence in a defined area of professional practice, professional management, professional education or applied professional research to the agreed national standards for higher specialist work in this area.
- Demonstrate a fully developed capacity to use reflection and critical analysis to continuously develop and improve own performance and the performance of professional and inter-professional groups, teams and networks; analysing, evaluation and applying relevant and up-to-date research evidence including service user research.
- Use a critical knowledge and understanding of service user and carer’s issues to develop and implement service user and carer rights and participation in line with the goals of choice, independence and empowerment.
- Work effectively as a practitioner, researcher, educator or manager in a context of risk, uncertainty conflict and contradiction where there are complex challenges and a need to make informed and balanced judgements.
- Take responsibility for managing aspects of complex change processes, including those involving other professions or other agencies, in the context of professional practice, professional management, professional education and training or applied professional research.
- Support, mentor, supervise or manage others enabling them to identify and explore issues and improve their own practice.
- Develop and implement effective ways of working in networks across organisations, sectoral and professional boundaries, taking responsibility for identifying, analysing and resolving complex issues, problems and barriers, promoting partnership, collaboration, inter-professional teamwork, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary communication, and ensuring the delivery of integrated and person centred services.
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