All posts by Lucy Smailes

Evaluating the performance of social care as a system: an introduction to the Vanguard Method

A one day  workshop delivered by Joanne Gibson and Brendan O’Donovan of Vanguard Consulting – Chaired by Sue White University of Sheffield

Wednesday March 6th 10am until 4pm  at University of Sheffield, Elmfield, Seminar Room G18

We have worked with a variety of social care organisations in the public and voluntary sectors. Our studies show that many public service systems are set up to assess rather than understand, to transact rather than build relationships, to refer on cases rather than taking individual responsibility and to prescribe packages of activity instead of taking the time to understand what might improve someone’s life. The result is that problems people face are not resolved, public services generate escalating levels of ‘failure demand’, and costs are driven ever upwards.

How can things be done differently? What might a concrete alternative look like? That is what we will try to explain over this session which has been designed to provide you with a different frame of reference, hopefully creating some curiosity and encouraging you to learn more about the Vanguard Method, in order to tackle some of the issues that you and your services face.

The Vanguard Method is unique in that it starts by studying a service as a system from the service user’s point of view, to gain knowledge of the ‘what and why’ of current performance. This session will give a high-level explanation of the key Vanguard Method principles required to study and understand how and why your current system works in the way that it does. We will go on to talk about what has been learnt through the application of the Vanguard Method in various people centred services, giving examples and results from organisations that have started to work in a different way.

This day will act as an introduction to what you could learn on a 12-day practical module that we are planning to run in conjunction with Sheffield University.

This Masterclass forms part of the module ‘Researching Everyday Practice’ There are 10 places available at a cost of £50 per student on a first come, first served basis.

Contact:  Sally.Dean@sheffield.gov.uk , interim Project Manager to book a place by 15th February 2019.

Further information from Sue.White@sheffield.ac.uk

Revised ASYE CPD Module 2019

After feedback from ASYEs and practitioners the University of Sheffield’s ASYE module has been revised. The revisions were agreed at November’s SYTP Strategy Board and this will now be rolled out to all Partners.

From February  2019 the ASYE module will consist of a 2 one day workshops, which will run 3 times a year.  At the 6 month review period each ASYE will have a meeting with their Team Manager/Social Work Consultant and a decision will be made about whether they are ready to be put forward for the ASYE module.  If it has been agreed their name will be forwarded to the ASYE Lead at the University of Sheffield, Lynda Hughes.  The ASYE will then be contacted with the dates they have been allocated.  The final assessment, after the 2 one day workshops  will be a 15 minute presentation on a topic they will be given before hand.

The CPD module will still carry 15 credits.  Further information please contact ASYE Module Lead – Lynda.Hughes@sheffield.ac.uk Lecturer at the University of Sheffield

SYTP Evaluation

We have recently commissioned and contracted with an independent organisation called Interface Enterprises https://www.interfaceenterprises.co.uk/ to undertake an evaluation of the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership as this is a requirement of the DfE/DH.

Interface will meet up with a range of stakeholders either in focus groups – with representatives from each local authority hopefully attending, or with individuals. We are in the process of arranging these groups and they will take place between November 2018 and February 2018. Groups include:

• Practice Educators
• Placement Leads
• Social workers who have been on CPD/ASYAM courses
• Strategy Board
• Children’s Practice Development Group
• Adult’s Practice Development Group
• ASYEs
• Sheffield Hallam University students and University of Sheffield students
• Key individuals – either face to face meetings or over the phone.

The evaluation will look at the outcomes and impact arising from the partnership’s activity, and identify what has worked well/hasn’t worked well. The evaluation report will be circulated to all SYTP stakeholders and will make recommendations for the future sustainability of the Partnership. The report will be presented at the March 2019 Strategy Board.

Masterclass – CSA November 19th 2019

Sexual abuse in the family – Rethinking disclosure and applying research and theory to practice.

19th November 2018   13:00 to 17:00

Town Hall, Reception Room A, Pinstone Street, Sheffield

Delivered by Anna Glinski from the National Centre of Excellence on CSA .

Current research indicates that children who are sexually abused are most likely to have been abused by someone within the family environment, but it is often a challenge to know what the best approach is when you suspect sexual abuse is happening.  Drawing on research, theory and practice experience, this workshop will consider the areas we can explore in our work with families to support a more robust, proactive and protective response.

–      What are the obstacles we face in our practice?

–      Taking a ‘whole family’ approach to assessing and intervening with families – addressing family strengths and vulnerabilities to reduce risk

–      Broadening our understanding of children’s disclosures and our roles within the disclosure process

 

How do I book?

There are 120 places across the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sheffield-teaching-partnership-csa-masterclass-tickets-47954624573

 

Practice Educator Conference April 23 2018


The Sheffield Hallam University Social Work Practice Educator Conference is now an established annual event. This year’s conference brought together over 160 Practice Educators.  Keynote presentations and workshops were planned in response to feedback from past conference delegates that identified areas of focus for professional education and practise.

The first part of the 2018 conference included four keynote presentations:

Mark Doel, Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University, considered professional social work identity and storytelling through Social Work in 42 Objects;

Pete Nelson, Principal Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, presented findings from recent research which considered whether child obesity is a child protection issue;

Suzannah Rockett and Wendy Zayne, Practice Development Manager and Child Protection Conference Chair at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, reminded participants of the importance of safeguarding in professional Social Work practise;

Steve Chu, Chief Executive at Age UK Sheffield, promoted the contribution of social work to third sector organisations.

During the second part of the 2018 conference, workshops provided Practice Educators with opportunities to meet researchers who shared their work and facilitated discussion about specific aspects of supporting the practise education of students.

Dr Marelize Joubert (Sheffield Hallam University) led the workshop on Social Work students’ perception of their readiness for practice and to practise.

Chrissie Edmonds (Sheffield Hallam University)’s workshop focused on direct observation and its vital role for the practice educator.

Throughout the day, participants were encouraged to network with fellow Social Work professionals from across the sectors, sharing everyday experiences and debating common challenges faced and how these are being met by Social Workers.

Feedback from the day:

“I found it beneficial to hear the guest speakers, attend the workshop (although I would have liked to do both!) and also found it useful to hear and learn from the experiences of other practice educators”.

Enjoyed the good mix of key note speakers and the workshop topics were particularly relevant to Practice Education “.

“I really enjoyed the conference and benefitted from attending.

Masterclass – For Practice Educators

Exploring the What? Why? And How? Of Social Work Theory and Practice

Thursday October 25th  10 – 4, Reception Room B, Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield

by Kirwin Maclean Associates

We would like to invite all Practice Educators within the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership (Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Lincolnshire, Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield) to a one-day workshop to be run by Kirwin Maclean Associates.  Details of their work can be found here:  http://www.kirwinmaclean.com/

Refreshments will be provided but not lunch.

If you would like to attend, please could you register online using the Eventbrite link below.

Book your place early – there are 120 places available across the Teaching Partnership.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exploring-the-what-why-and-how-of-social-work-theory-and-practice-tickets-46014161596

 

 

 

 

Sheffield Hallam joined SYTP

As from April 2018 Sheffield Hallam University has joined the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership as our second university partner.

Hallam’s BA (Hons) Social Work Degree will be offered under the Teaching Partnership .  They will also be delivering Continuous Professional Development modules to Adult Social Workers.

Chandi Patel (Head of Department) stated “he was delighted that Sheffield Hallam University has joined the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership”, he hoped that they “would play a full role in helping to develop social work education in the region”

Dave Johnson (Teaching Partnership lead) commented “we are committed to joining the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership and passionately hope that we can contribute to the development of our profession in our region”.