These implementation resources support social workers, organisations, people with lived experience and higher education institutions to implement the Capabilities Statement and continuous professional development (CPD) pathway for social work with adults with learning disability.

The resources have been developed with the support of a cross-sector Advisory Group, including people with lived experience, social workers and educators.

The resources include:

  • a practice toolkit for social workers: including a video featuring Jill, Jackie and Brendan from Synergy part of Camden Disability Action, plus easy read material
  • a toolkit for adults with learning disabilities: including resources that explain the role of the social worker, a feedback resource as part of the Hair Tool, plus easy read material. Resources for critical friends: a video and visual Hair Tool designed by people with lived experience, questions for adults with learning disabilities and social workers to gather feedback and evaluate the impact of practice
  • a self-evaluation tool for organisations
  • a post-graduate curriculum outline for higher education institutions, including how to develop a modular, blended learning approach

Background

In September 2019, BASW published the Capabilities Statement and continuous professional development (CPD) pathway for social work with adults with learning disability, commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Written for the England practice and policy contexts, the Capabilities Statement was co-produced with adults with learning disabilities, families and carers.

The Capabilities Statement shows social workers what they need to know and be able to do, to make positive changes in the lives of adults with learning disabilities. The DHSC also commissioned and funded the development of additional resources and activities to support organisations and social workers working with adults with learning disabilities to embed the Capabilities Statement into social work practice.

The aim of this work is to develop a consistent pathway for professional development for social workers, and their employers, and help to ensure that people who use their services are supported by social workers with consistent levels of professional skills.

Work to develop these additional resources was led by BASW, in partnership with the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Research in Practice for Adults (RIPfA). It was supported by a cross-sector Advisory Group including practitioners, experts-by-experience and educators and informed by wider consultation with the profession, people with lived experience and organisational leaders.

Special thanks to Jill, Jackie and Brendan from Synergy part of Camden Disability Action, members of the Embedding Capabilities Advisory group and other key partners, Bradford City Council Learning Disability service, SORM studios and the City of Stoke-on-Trent Council Learning Disability service in the development of the toolkit resources.

Within these toolkits there are key messages for supervisors, managers, organisational leaders, and educators. Their role includes ensuring that opportunities for social workers to use the Capabilities Statement and toolkit to inform practice are created and supported.

How do the toolkits support social work practice?

The toolkits:

  • were developed with sector feedback and involvement
  • incorporate feedback from people and families with lived experience
  • promote the role and contribution of social work with adults with learning disabilities
  • link to the capabilities statement for social work with adults with learning disabilities providing an evidence base for practice
  • provide opportunities for learning, critical reflection, and development
  • are designed to support evidence of continuous professional development to meet standard 4 of the regulatory professional standards set by Social Work England.

How to use the toolkits

Each toolkit provides an introduction and explanation about how and when to use it.

The toolkits can be used as a whole or at different times to support best practice with adults with learning disabilities, families, and carers.