The advanced level of professional competence will incorporate and build on higher specialist competences, aiming to produce individuals with the ability to lead the further growth and development of the social work profession, drawing on in-depth knowledge of a specialist area of work and experience of conducting research and applying research to practice.  The additional requirements associated with the movement from higher specialist to advanced work are indicated by the use of italics in the criteria listed below.  Overall, programmes of advanced social work education and training allow qualified social workers who have demonstrated competence in-depth and been assessed as capable of working at a higher specialist level to:

1. meet the academic standards for work at Master's Level in the Quality Assurance Agency framework;
   
   
2. use independent critical judgement to take a leading role in systematically developing their own practice and that of others in the context of the GSCC codes of practice, national and international codes of professional ethics, the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations including those associated with inter-agency and inter-professional work;
   
   
3. 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 and take a leading role in promoting good practice;
   
   
4. demonstrate a fully developed capacity to take responsibility for the use of reflection and critical analysis to continuously develop and improve own performance and the performance of professional and inter-professional groups, teams and networks in the context of professional practice, professional management, professional education or applied professional research; analysing, evaluating and applying relevant and up-to-date research evidence including service user research;
   
   
5. use a critical knowledge and understanding of service user and carer issues to actively promote, develop and implement service user and carer rights and participation in line with the goals of choice, independence and empowerment;
   
   
6. undertake research designed to address issues or problems in the context of professional practice, professional education, applied professional research or professional management;
   
   
7. work creatively and effectively as a practitioner, researcher, educator or manager and take a leading role in a context of risk, uncertainty conflict and contradiction of where there are complex challenges and a need to make informed and balanced judgements;
   
   
8. take a lead responsibility for managing key 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;
   
   
9. support, mentor, supervise or manage others, exercising practice, research, management or educational leadership to enable them to identify and explore issues and improve their own practice;
   
   
10. take a leading role in the development and implementation of effective ways of working in networks across organisational, sector and professional boundaries, taking a lead 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.
    
    

For further information and guidance, please refer to http://www.gscc.org.uk/Home/