The Consolidation Programme is for all newly qualified Social Workers who are in their first period of registration and forms the first step within the Continuing Professional Education and Learning (CPEL) framework. The programme builds on the learning undertaken within your qualifying programme and focuses on embedding core professional knowledge and skills within practice. The programme’s aim is to consolidate and extend the learning achieved since qualifying as a registered social worker so that as practitioners, you are able to intervene and apply professional judgement in increasingly complex situations.
All the Social Workers undertaking this Consolidation Programme will have completed their first year in practice. The guidance for this period is outlined in the Social Care Wales (SCW) document
“The first three years in practice: a Framework for Social Workers’ induction into qualified practice and continuing professional education and learning”. The consolidation programme will be undertaken within the second or third year of practice and builds on this guidance.
The Consolidation Programme focuses on three key areas, with particular emphasis on the third area:
Applying analysis in assessment to inform interventions.
Working collaboratively with individuals in need of care and support and their carers and other professionals.
Intervention and application of professional judgement in increasingly complex situations.
The programme module attracts 30 credits at Level 6.
More about this course
All candidates are qualified Social Workers who are currently registered with Social Care Wales.
The programme reflects current research, legislation and policy and incorporates the Welsh context which includes the language, culture, geography and legislation within Wales. The Code of Professional Practice for Social Care Workers (2017) and the relevant National Occupational Standards (2012) underpin the learning. The inter-professional context of Social Work practice is highlighted. The perspectives of individuals in need of care and support and their carers are prevalent throughout the management, delivery, and development of the module.
The delivery of the Consolidation Programme is in collaboration with the University of South Wales and Cardiff Metropolitan University and 10 Local Authorities to include Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Monmouth, Newport and Torfaen. This ensures that the module is relevant to the needs and demands of the workforce. The Higher Education Institution (HEI) will be the awarding body. The Programme is validated by both HEI’s and approved by Social Care Wales under The Approval and Inspection for Post Qualifying Social Work Courses (Wales) 2019.
The Consolidation Programme at Cardiff Met is taught face-to-face on the Llandaff Campus. It is interactive and is taught by experienced lecturers who hold relevant professional qualifications and/or have a wide range of specific qualifications at Degree, Master’s and Doctorate level. The three taught days (in addition to a half day induction) provide the opportunity for you to acquire evidence-informed knowledge and meet other candidates.
As a Consolidation candidate, you will be assigned a Consolidation Practice Assessor based within your Local Authority who will assess and support you throughout your learning journey.