CCPS Home » VSSSWU Home » Sharing Practice » Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

CPD - Where do we start?

An Introduction

SSSC has written a report called 'Continuing Professional Development for the Social Service Workforce' which sets out the objectives for CPD for the social service workforce in Scotland. It encourages both employers and employees to consider both formal and informal learning for CPD.

Download the Continuing Professional Development for the social service workforce report.

Continuing professional development for social workers is set within a UK wide framework of post qualifying education and training. SSSC has produced an information pack regarding this.

Download Continuing Professional Development in Social Work (CPD)

SCQF

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) brings all qualifications into a single framework and enables learners (and educators) to plan and follow through education and training throughout a lifetime. Please visit the Framework to begin thinking about learning and training for the future.

The Workforce Unit has produced a guide entitled 'Understanding Qualifications Pathways' which aims to demystify the qualifications maze. The publication goes into detail about qualifications regarding registration with SSSC and Post Registration Training & Learning (PRTL), Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and Lifelong Learning. 

Continuous Learning Framework

The Continuous Learning Framework(CLF), produced by the SSSC and IRISS describes what people need to be able to do their job well now and in the future and what employers need to do support their employees, focusing on four key areas:

• the qualifications and training that are needed
• the knowledge, skills, values and understanding required
• personal capabilities that describe the way people manage themselves and their relationships with others and
• organisational capabilities which describe the culture and conditions in the workplace that enable social service workers to be the best they can be.

The Scottish Government has provided funding for the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to work with the Learning Networks, Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit (VSSSWU) and the Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative (PCSWI) to promote and embed the Continuous Learning Framework across the social services sector.

The Workforce Unit is supporting voluntary sector providers across all services areas to engage with the CLF and use it in a practical way promoting their own vision for their learning and development. You can find out more about our work with CLF here.

Recognising Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognising Prior Learning (RPL) Guidelines have been established to facilitate the recognition of prior informal learning (which has not previously been assessed or credit rated) within the SCQF framework. This will include prior learning achieved through:

• Life and work experiences
• Informal learning
• Community-based learning
• Work based training
• Continuing Professional Development
• Voluntary work

In order to achieve credit for prior learning, candidates will have to go through a process of reflecting on their experiences, and recognising what they have learned from this experience. These reflections are then used to value the experience within the SCQF framework.