Practice supervisor development programme

Aiming to provide high-quality continuous professional development (CPD) to up to 700 social workers taking up their first role in which they are responsible for supporting and developing the practice of others

The practice supervisor development programme (PSDP) is a significant investment by the Department for Education (DfE) and aims to provide high-quality continuous professional development (CPD) to up to 700 social workers taking up their first role in which they are responsible for supporting and developing the practice of others.

The wholly not-for-profit consortium led by Research in Practice includes: The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, University of Sussex and Goldsmiths, University of London. The Consortium is supported by a number of skilled Local Delivery Partners comprising universities, Teaching Partnerships and trusted CPD providers in every region.

The Consortium and partners are working to design a creative and evidence-informed approach to delivering the PSDP; developed with the sector, for the sector. It will reflect, but not be limited to, the requirements of the Knowledge and Skills Statements and will complement the wealth of existing CPD activity in this field. Over the next two years, every local authority will be entitled to a small number of places on this national programme, and in addition an open-access online resource will be developed, providing useful materials to all those who wish to engage with this programme. The programme will also engage with organisational culture, recognising the key role that employers and leaders play in enabling high-quality learning for Practice Supervisors.

The wider partnership brings a unique combination of academic expertise, experience of delivering complex learning and development programmes at a national scale and proven credibility with the children’s sector.