Learning, CPD and development
Learning, Growing, Leading – Social Work careers in Hampshire
As an Outstanding Children’s Services Department, we are proud to have our own Workforce Development Team that oversees all learning and development needs of our staff.
Hear Gemma Durrant, Head of Workforce Development talk about why children's social workers should choose Hampshire County Council.
We operate on a model of six key principles to ensure all staff can access the training and development they require:
- Workforce Development is one of the top priorities of the department.
- We each have a personal responsibility for our own learning.
- Managers make the development of staff one of their highest priorities.
- Workforce Development is about “learning” not just “training”.
- We promote “time for learning” – not “time off for courses”.
- The aim of learning is to improve practice and performance.
Learning opportunities
All qualified social workers are entitled to five days of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in addition to any internal or mandatory training, to ensure they are equipped to deliver the Outstanding service we pride ourselves on. Our tailored Graduate Entry Training scheme (GETs) provides the equivalent for our Newly Qualified Social Workers.
This includes:
- Face-to-face events – a mix of taught sessions, seminars, workshops, large conferences and briefings.
- Digital resources – including e-learning and subscriptions.
- A ‘coaching’ approach to management – supporting the development of staff by bringing learning into the workplace.
- Dissemination of lessons learned – operational experience and recommendations from Serious Case Reviews and evidenced good practice.
- Shadowing and secondment opportunities – both within the department and with external partners
- Self-directed study and apprenticeships.
Learning, CPD
and development