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Care Act statutory guidance requires councils to have a principal social worker (PSW) in post and sets out in detail what the expectations of the postholder are, centring on leadership and oversight of “excellent social work practice.” PSWs therefore have a key role in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of their council and are often the first person to be interviewed in the CQC on site visit. There has been a clearly demonstrated demand for support for PSWs to prepare for CQC assessment from the sector.
Our support offer for PSWs centres around a national community of practice. This will be a collaborative, peer support forum focused specifically on CQC assessment preparations and for PSWs only, at their request.
It will therefore provide a safe and supportive space for PSWs to share their experiences of CQC assurance, to offer peer support and to develop knowledge about specific themes identified in published CQC assessment reports. It will support sector-led improvement by sharing information, challenges, models of good practice, and supporting problem solving to improve preparation for CQC assessment process.
The national community of practice will be enhanced by a chair, with an advisory role), who is well known, experienced and highly respected in the sector. The Chair and adviser is Fran Leddra former Chief Social Worker.
Themed discussion sessions are being planned after the launch event please contact [email protected] for further information.
- The community of practice for PSWs was launched on 24 October with a live session with the new Chair, Fran Leddra, former Chief Social Worker; Jeanette Blackburn, Deputy Director for Local Authority Assessments, CQC; and Kate Colcannon Co-Chair of the National Adult PSW Network.
- The first themed session is 'Bringing your best self to inspection: a look at influencing others, managing the complexities of senior leadership roles and building confidence' on 4 December 2024, 1.00pm - 2.00pm. Future sessions will take place on 16 January 2025, 3.30pm - 4.30pm, and 5 March 2025, 1.00pm - 2.00pm. To register for any of these sessions or find out more about the community of practice, please email [email protected] (restricted to PSWs only)
- Principal Social Workers and CQC assessment: preparing your evidence and understanding your role, 1 July 2024 (event presentation)
- Learning from the CQC pilots for principal social workers - this publication summarises the experiences of PSWs involved in the pilots as part of a wider package of support.
Highlighted pages
CQC's assurance framework
The new duty on the CQC to assess local authorities’ delivery of their adult social care (ASC) duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014 came into effect on 1 April 2023. Linked to this new duty is a power for the Secretary of State to intervene where, following assessment under the new duty, it is considered that a local authority is failing to meet their duties.
Learning from the Care Quality Commission pilots for principal social workers
Principal social workers (PSWs) have a key role to play in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) local authority assessment process. We've commissioned this publication to summarise the experiences of PSWs involved in the pilots and help other PSWs to prepare.
Principal Social Workers and CQC assessment: preparing your evidence and understanding your role, 1 July 2024
Featured pages
CQC's assurance framework
The new duty on the CQC to assess local authorities’ delivery of their adult social care (ASC) duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014 came into effect on 1 April 2023. Linked to this new duty is a power for the Secretary of State to intervene where, following assessment under the new duty, it is considered that a local authority is failing to meet their duties.
Principal Social Workers and CQC assessment: preparing your evidence and understanding your role, 1 July 2024
Download the presentation from Simon Williams, Director of Social Care Improvement, Partners in Care and Health; Carol Tozer, ADASS Associate; Margot Summerbridge,; Principal Social Worker, Derby City Council; Chris Erskine, Principal Social Worker, Lincolnshire County Council; and Karen Barnes, Principal Social Worker, Durham County Council.
Learning from the Care Quality Commission pilots for principal social workers
Principal social workers (PSWs) have a key role to play in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) local authority assessment process. We've commissioned this publication to summarise the experiences of PSWs involved in the pilots and help other PSWs to prepare.