BASW Overseas Qualified Social Worker (OQSW) Programme

Package consists of access to a Practice Handbook and a Workbook to complete learning activity

This digital learning resource can be completed pre-registration / placement or at the commencement of taking up a UK post. 

Practice Handbook: 120 days access to a self-directed digital resource incorporating a range of approaches to adult learning and professional development including reading, podcasts, films, reflective exercises, exploration of social work research and links to relevant websites. All you need to know to help prepare for social work practice in the UK.

Workbook: A person-centred record of your learning and resources you need to do the job – wherever you choose to work. This can be kept permanently as an ongoing continuing professional development resource.

The handbook and accompanying workbook takes around 50 hours and a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certificate is awarded upon completion.

Includes:

• Welcome to Social Work practice in the United Kingdom
• Social work in the UK – history and practice context
• Underpinning our practice – Values & ethics of practice
• Supervised Practice and getting the most from supervision
• What supports our practice
• My personal learning workbook

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Hours - 50

Cost per delegate: 

BASW member - £99 

BASW NI/IASW associate member - £99 + VAT (£118.80)

BASW non member in UK - £149

Non member outside UK in EU country - £149 + VAT (£178.80)

Non member outside UK & EU - £149

Non member outside UK in a low income country/economy (as defined by The World Bank) - £56

Contact: ProfDE@basw.co.uk

Book now - complete this quick form in order to access the relevant booking link

Package consists of access to a Practice Handbook and a Workbook to complete learning activity, plus a supported year in employment

This package is suitable for delegates upon commencement of taking up a post in the UK. 

Practice Handbook: 180 days access to a self-directed digital resource incorporating a range of approaches to adult learning and professional development including reading, podcasts, films, reflective exercises, exploration of social work research and links to relevant websites. All you need to know to help prepare for social work practice in the UK.

Workbook: A person-centred record of your learning and resources you need to do the job – wherever you choose to work. This can be kept permanently as an ongoing continuing professional development resource.

The handbook and accompanying workbook takes around 50 hours and a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certificate is awarded upon completion.

Includes:

• Welcome to Social Work practice in the United Kingdom
• Social work in the UK – history and practice context
• Underpinning our practice – Values & ethics of practice
• Supervised Practice and getting the most from supervision
• What supports our practice
• My personal learning workbook

The Peer supported Development Programme is made up of:

• 3 x 1 hour 1:1 online sessions with a qualified coach 
• 6 x 1.5 hour online group action learning sets 
• Accompanied by self-directed learning 
• Access to a discussion forum page with cohort participants that is supported by BASW staff

Coaching offers a confidential space for social workers to talk and think through personal and professional challenges, using person-centred solution focused approaches to find ways forward. Sessions are facilitated by a qualified and accredited coach.

Action Learning Sets provide participants with opportunities to learn in a more structured way using the cycle of Action; Reflection; Learning; Planning. Within the context of peer supervision and collaborative reflection, participants can engage with peers and network with each other, simultaneously creating a team approach to building mutual support and shared learning.

Self-directed learning takes place to demonstrate professional curiosity in proactively seeking and accessing resources.  Participants take the initiative either on an individual basis or with peers, in identifying their continuing professional development needs alongside the experiential learning of social work practice, as they transition to being full case holders.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Hours - 158

*** We are currently taking registrations of interest for our next cohort of the Peer Supported Development Programme (package B) ***

Cost: £995 + VAT (£1,194) per delegate. Block bookings of 5 or more delegates in a cohort can access a discounted price of £896 + VAT (£1,075) per delegate. 

Please contact ProfDE@basw.co.uk to register your interest.

An initial iteration of FAQs which will be updated into the future - if anything you would like to ask isn't covered, we can be contacted at ProfDE@basw.co.uk

Eligibility

• Can I become a BASW member before registering with a UK regulator? 

Yes, if you are a qualified social worker or social work student living in the UK we welcome you to join our membership. You can then access our member benefits including discounted CPD, discounted or free forums and events, access to our Professional Support Service and become part of the UK’s .

• Can a qualified social worker outside of the UK who is not yet practicing in the UK enrol for package B? 

To be eligible to enrol for package B, delegates must be registered and working in a social work role in the UK. 

• Can I enrol for package B while I am working in a social work related role although I am not yet registered?

Package B is currently only for registered social workers already in a social work role

• Is the package suitable for all international workers, despite their nationality? 

Package A is suitable for qualified social workers who plan to, or have already, moved to a role in the UK. It can be accessed worldwide. Package B delegates must be working in a social work role in the UK. 

• Is this programme compulsory for all overseas social workers? 

No, this is not compulsory learning and if you wish to enrol, you can choose either package A or B in line with your needs and circumstances.

Programme Design & Contents

• How does the registration process for package B work? 

Package B is delivered on a cohort basis. Once BASW have a sufficient number of requests, a cohort will be formed and those delegates will be provided with a registration link and set dates to attend the coaching and action learning group sessions. Cohorts can be made up of delegates from a mixture of organisations, or where demand permits, specifically for one organisation. Payment is made by invoice and a Purchase Order (PO) number is required in the registration form.

• How has BASW incorporated the diversity of cultural backgrounds worldwide in the training? 

The project team developed the programme contents from feedback, inputs, data and expertise from a number of sources including BASW members, diaspora social workers, the Hong Kong Social Work Action Network, International Federation of Social Workers & BASW International Committee.

• Before signing up to packages for our overseas recruited social workers - could we have an opportunity to see the full material in the different packages to enable us to make an informed decision about whether it is right for us? 

As an employer, if you contact us at ProfDE@basw.co.uk we can provide further detail about the packages.

• How do you differentiate between the different legislation/ frameworks within the UK nations? Do you hold separate sessions depending on where someone will work? 

The Practice Handbook contains information on legislation and frameworks across all UK nations. In peer supported sessions, cohorts may have delegates from a variety of organisations and nations - this will be managed by the coach to ensure relevance to all. 

• How do you check that people have committed the required hours for these packages since they are not supervised? 

BASW ask for return of the completed workbook, which is subject to a formative assessment before issuing completion certificates. 

• Does the BASW programme cover any information on practice outside UK nations? 

BASW’s overseas qualified social worker learning is focussed on practice in the UK. BASW have an active Diaspora Special Interest Group which may be useful in order to link in with social workers who qualified in other countries

• What considerations are given to supporting anti-racist practice by BASW?

The Practice Handbook contains a section covering ‘The Values and Ethics in Social Work Practice’ which has guidance on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and anti-racist practice.

Costs

• In terms of costs, and being aware of the financial difficulties for overseas social workers - are there any options of support? 

We offering a discounted members rate and a significant discount on package A registration for delegates residing in low-income countries.

• Is there a package/block booking cost for organisations?

There is not a block booking discount on package A, however for a booking of 5 or more delegates on any one package B cohort, a discount is available. We do not offer a package for organisations to deliver this in-house, however BASW has a variety of information and resources available on our website which can contribute to learning about UK practice. Please see our webpage for more details

• Is the Practice Handbook and Workbook available in different languages? 

The learning material is only available in English.

• Are the packages general training or directed to a specific field of specialty within social work practice or client group? 

The packages are able to support delegates across all social work specialisms.

Gaining UK Social Work Knowledge, Experience & Supervised Practice

• I have registered with a UK regulator but cannot find a role without UK experience. How can BASW help? 

BASW’s package A: Practice Handbook and Workbook provides relevant learning about social work practice in the UK which would contribute to demonstrating continuing professional development and understanding of UK practice within applications for UK roles. 

• How do the packages prepare social workers for overseas practice?

BASW’s package A: Practice Handbook and Workbook provides relevant learning about social work practice in the UK which would contribute to demonstrating continuing professional development and understanding of UK practice. Package B provides additional learning, coaching and support with 1:1s and group action learning sets to support you alongside your social work role in the UK.

• How do I gain social work experience and access supervised practice before I am registered? 

Supervised practice opportunities can be accessed through unqualified social work support roles and volunteering roles. BASW maintain a directory of Independent Social Workers who are BASW members and may be able to provide supervision for a fee.

• How do the packages support registration with the relevant regulator?

Registration requirements differ by nation. Please see the following links for current advice: 

• England – contact: Social Work England - registration information here
• Wales – contact: Social Care Wales - registration information here
• Northern Ireland – contact: Northern Ireland Social Care Council - registration information here
• Scotland – contact: Scottish Social Services Council - registration information here

Package A can contribute to private study in updating skills and knowledge. Package B is designed to support social workers already in a role and can be used to demonstrate continuing professional development for annual re-registration.

Other

• Do BASW provide guidance for local authorities to support overseas social workers?

BASW’s Diaspora Special Interest Group have published the guide ‘International Recruitment and Induction Standards for International Social Workers coming to the UK’ which is freely available for download.

• Do the learning packages qualify me to work as a social worker in the UK? 

The learning packages we have available at BASW do not provide a qualification / authority to practice, they are learning and support that will help you to understand social work practice in the UK and prepare for / adapt to a UK role.

• If I am a registered social worker in one UK nation, can I work in another nation? 

You can only accept work in the nation in which you are registered. You can apply to register in further UK nations. E.g. if you are registered with Scottish Social Services Council and wish to also / or work in England, you would need to register with Social Work England.