Systemic Practice Foundation Programme
We are supporting staff across Children’s Services to develop their systemic practice knowledge to reflect our commitment to this as our model of practice.
Previously the offer of our internal Foundation qualification in systemic practice was only made to social workers in their second year of practice. This was because we know that newly qualified social workers feel a stark change once their ASYE programme is complete, with challenges including an increase in responsibility and power and the absence of a structured programme of support.
Whilst we are continuing with this approach, from Spring 2026 we will be offering a further cohort per year for practitioners from across the service to complete the programme. This is open to all staff not just those who are social work qualified; the only stipulation is that you must be working with children and families.
You will need to have completed the Systemic Practice eLearning and the 4-day Introduction to Systemic Practice to apply for a place.
The programme privileges the connection between the theory and social work practice. Within this programme we are working alongside practitioners to take accountability for their continued learning and development needs, ensuring they are actively seeking opportunities with their supervisor to recognise their strengths and areas for improvement.
This deliberate focus on a systemic approach to our work with children and families is aligned to
- More consistent relationships with professionals, based on trust and respect.
- Promoting relationships that are purposeful and through which professionals understand the context in which the family lives.
- Practice where families aren’t seen as problematic and have akey role in finding the solution
- Practice that is innovative and fit the needs of the family.
- Families' engagement in change process increase.
- Drift and delay are decreased,
- Sustainable outcomes are developed and maintained.