Learning and development
When you join our fast-improving Children’s Social Care Services at Oldham, you will be supported to make the most of our career progression framework, demonstrating your competence through the delivery of good outcomes for children and families in line with systemic practice.
Line management support and supervision will help you to identify your career interests, discuss your learning progress, apply your strengths, and create development plans, aligned to the professional capabilities framework (PCF), post qualifying standards (PQS), and regulatory professional standards (RPF).
As you progress your career, you’ll be challenged and supported every step of the way to make the most of the range of opportunities available to you.
As you progress your career, you’ll be challenged and supported every step of the way to make the most of the range of opportunities available to you.
Career point | Tailored learning and development |
Student | Degree Apprenticeship
Frontline (MSc) Step-Up (MSc) University programmes (BA/MA) |
Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) | Comprehensive ASYE programme
Designated Consultant Social Worker for reflective supervision and support |
Social Worker | PG Module: Consolidation of professional practice
Complex situations with higher level of risk Liaison with wide range of professionals Bespoke systemic practice training, with optional accredited course. Contribute to others’ learning (e.g. students and NQSWs) Practice Educator training and qualification. Share good practice examples at regular Practitioner forums. Develop areas of interest and specialism. Engage in service developments and improvement. |
Experienced / Senior Social Worker | Specialise and champion skills and research.
Complex work Innovation and development are supported Develop and mentor other team members and students. Opportunity to be Deputy Consultant Social Worker with Frontline units. Support learning culture, use of data and reviews of practice and feedback to help improvement across the team. |
Advanced Practitioner | Increasing complexity of work
Advanced Practitioner Development Pathway, individually tailored, leading to delegated authority and responsibility for authorising work of others. Supervision and support of staff, individually and/or group supervision. |
To further support your career development and hone your practice skills, you’ll also have access to a wide range of resources and tools to put you in the driving seat for your own continued professional development:
- Research in Practice
- Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership training
- Practitioner Forum
- Access to our resource-filled Children’s Social Care and Early Help Hub
Our comprehensive internal training and development programme is refreshed every year to include a range of courses. Here are just a few examples:
- Systemic Practice
- Age Assessment
- AIM (Assessment, Intervention, Moving-On): training in the field of harmful sexual behaviour
- Child Sexual Exploitation
- Trauma Informed practice
- Criminal exploitation gangs and county lines
- Life story work
- Parent Assess
- PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) in caring for young people
- Self-harm
- Court skills
Leadership and management
We believe you don’t have to be a manager to be a leader, so from day 1 you will have access to our in-house Leadership Toolkit which is packed full of resources to support you to reach your potential.
And, if you’re looking to develop a career in management, we’re committed to supporting you to succeed. Through the national Social Work Leadership Pathways Programme, you’ll develop high-quality leadership skills by drawing on evidence informed practice and contributing to a culture which prioritises children and families above all else.
Progressing your social work career
Once you join us, you’ll be able to work your way through an exciting and progressive pathway where you’ll continually develop your skills and broaden your knowledge and experience. With opportunities to specialise, work with complex cases, and support the development of others, you can enjoy a lifelong career with us.




