Introducing the new Social Work Education and Training Advisory Forum

A new group set up to advise Social Work England on its approach to social work education and training has announced its membership and met for the first time.

We would like to thank everyone who submitted an expression of interest to join the Social Work Education and Training Advisory Forum. There were over 40 applications, of which members were selected by a panel. They include:

• representatives from organisations with a strategic interest in social work education in England
• individuals with broad experience and an expert knowledge of social work education in England
• individuals with lived and learned experience of social work, including representatives from the National Advisory Forum.

Additionally, we recently held a successful student workshop and are seeking representation from students to join the forum.

What is the Social Work Education and Training Advisory Forum?

The forum will provide an opportunity for social work education stakeholders to meet, share, discuss and act as a critical friend to Social Work England on matters relating to social work education as set out in ‘Our approach to social work education and training’. The starting point for the forum’s work will be to finalise, enhance and support the implementation of the readiness for professional practice guidance, based upon the findings from recent consultation.

It is chaired by Dr Kevin Stone, Associate for Education and Training at Social Work England. Dr Stone is an Associate Professor of Social Work (University of Warwick) and a practising social worker. Amanda Fitchett, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Coventry University, is the deputy chair. The forum will meet every month and will share its progress on the Social Work England website.

At the first meeting, the group heard from Social Work England about our overall approach to social work education and training. It looked at the purpose of the development of readiness for professional practice guidance that will inform and shape the development of social work courses. The group also considered and offered views on the knowledge statements that will form part of the guidance.

These are the forum’s full terms of reference.

Forum members

• Kevin Stone, Education and Training Associate, Social Work England (Forum Chair)
• Amanda Fitchett, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Coventry University (Deputy Chair)
• Elaine Arnull, Professor of Social Work, University of Wolverhampton
• Professor Christine Cocker, Head of School of Social Work, University of East Anglia
• Paula Swift, Trustwide Professional Head of Social Work, Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust
• Lisa Hackett, Chief Social Worker, Frontline
• Andrea Collins, Head of Social Work, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Jacqueline Bell, Lead Practice Specialist, Think Ahead
• Jo Finch, Learning and Development Officer, Hampshire County Council
• Jackie Flynn, Practice Education Development Lead, Essex County Council
• Ruth Allen, Chief Executive, British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
• Timothy Odell, Senior Lecturer in Social Work / Professional Lead for Social Work, Cantebury Christ Church University
• Marcia Cameron, Strategic Lead for Professional Development, NSPCC
• Dawn Ringland, Independent Practice Educator
• Graham Woodham, Head of Regulated Professional Workforce, Skills for Care
• Anne-Marie Glover, National Advisory Forum
• Gareth Gault, National Advisory Forum
• Sally Parker, National Advisory Forum