Advanced Social Work Professional status

Taking learning forward

Following a review of the Advanced Social Work Professional (ASWP) pilot project in November 2011 it was established that it was no longer appropriate to administer a centrally-funded programme for ASWP.

The review, based on feedback from local authorities and partner organisations, recognised that a need remains for career pathways that enable experienced social workers to remain on the frontline. However, it determined that this would be better delivered as part of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). As a result we will no longer be delivering an ASWP nomination and assessment process.

This approach will enable local authorities to implement sustainable career pathways for social workers which fit in with their own restructuring arrangements and can respond to local need. It is in line with the Government’s view that local leaders, with their partners, should have the freedom to design and deliver services to improve outcomes and meet the needs of children and families locally.

We will use expertise generated from ASWP to support the College of Social Work and the Social Work Reform Board as their work on career structure and professional standards progresses. The PCF will set out the skills and knowledge social workers need at different points in their careers.

We will also use the learning from ASWP in our support to help local authorities implement the recommendations of Professor Munro’s review.

More information on the framework can be found on the Department for Education website.

ASWP - a brief description

The ASWP status aimed to make a difference to the lives of children and families by:

• Encouraging excellent social workers to remain on the front line.
• Promoting standards which other social workers can aspire to.
• Strengthening professional leadership by combining experience with the latest thinking.
• Enabling employers to identify staff capable of greater autonomy.

The status was developed in partnership with key stakeholders including social workers and social work managers based in a variety of settings.