We’re not afraid to do things differently
We’re proud of what we do here in Adult Social Care – and proud to be valued for what we do. We’re working with our communities in exciting and innovative ways: promoting independence, and letting our staff shape how things are done. So join us and make a positive difference, and enjoy the freedom to drive forward change.
In 2019 we allowed BBC Panorama to spend ten months following our inspirational social workers, occupational therapists, providers, health colleagues, voluntary and community groups. Why? Because we believe that everyone needs to know how important our work is, and the difference it makes every day to thousands of people. And it’s helped push social care, and the national pressures it faces, right to the top of agenda. Precisely where it belongs.
As you can see, we’re not afraid to do things differently – and it’s clearly working. We know because our residents are telling us. Our data tells us. Our partners tell us. Our staff tell us. And our improvements are being recognised by the NHS and Local Government Association. We’re one of the most improved councils in relation to Delayed Transfers of Care, which we’ve achieved in partnership with our NHS colleagues.
And we’ve changed the way that our teams are structured and how they support and interact with each other. Operational and commissioning colleagues work together to achieve the best outcomes for people, so that they can be as independent as possible, and the best that they can be.
The Social Work Sessions
Carolyn Smith, Principal Social Worker for Adult Social Care in Somerset Council, presents Social Work Sessions. Social Work Sessions is a podcast which provides information through discussions with people in social work, from the front line, academia and elsewhere.
Social Work Sessions | Apple Podcasts
Social Work Sessions | Podcast on Spotify
Social Work Sessions | Listen on Amazon Music
Please get in touch with us with feedback or requests for future episode topics: SWSPodcast@somerset.gov.uk
Investing in you and your development
Develop your career
We support you to grow your skills and develop your career in Somerset.
We provide a large and varied programme of in-house training to help you continue to develop your knowledge, and we encourage staff to undertake specialist training and professional qualifications.
We have an award-winning learning and development team. Somerset won the award for ‘Best Employer Support for Continuing Professional Development for regulated professions,’ from Skills for Care in 2016.
Career development steps
We offer training and development opportunities from apprenticeship level, right up to Strategic Manager level.
We are developing apprenticeships as a way of recruiting and training staff who want to start a professional career in Adult Social Care. Apprentices can benefit from on the job learning, great work experience, a degree level qualification, and earn a wage.
We have a ‘Grow your Own’ scheme, which gives staff the opportunity to train to achieve professional qualifications in Social Work and Occupational Therapy.
Qualified social workers and occupational therapists
Qualified social workers and occupational therapists can take advantage of annual training programmes of core skills development including: promoting reflective practice in supervision, mental capacity, and moving and handling update. They can also benefit from specialist skills training, professional workshops, and academic learning including: best interest assessor, practice educator training, advanced practice with adults at risk, end of life, fundamental principles of dementia, and practice learning and student support (OT).
As well as working towards a post graduate certificate level qualification. This can lead to staff pursuing specialist roles in housing, Home First, safeguarding, mental health, and the health interface service.
Newly qualified social workers and occupational therapists
Newly qualified social workers and occupational therapists benefit from a dedicated training programme in their first year. This includes training on safeguarding, mental capacity, equalities, human rights, and foundation moving and handling. Newly qualified social workers and occupational therapists also benefit from quarterly workshops, where they can meet other newly qualified workers.
Advanced practitioners, service managers and strategic managers
Advanced practitioners, service managers and strategic managers are offered a programme of leadership training to support them in their management positions. They can achieve a post graduate diploma, and masters qualification and take on different specialist, leadership and strategic roles, such as health interface, safeguarding, learning and development, transitions, finance, and best interests assessors.