There are less than 4 weeks left to apply to renew your registration and record CPD. Log in and apply to renew now.

Skip to main navigation

Skip to main content

Our findings from the continuing professional development (CPD) review 2021 to 2022

The assessors share some of their key learning from the most recent CPD review.

Our findings from the continuing professional development (CPD) review 2021 to 2022

5/25/2023 4:35:47 PM

What is a CPD review?

Once the CPD deadline on 30 November has passed, a team of 10 independent assessors carry out a CPD review. We randomly select 2.5% of social workers from the register and review the CPD they have recorded. We are looking to ensure social workers meet professional standard 4 (the standard relating to CPD). The review offers valuable insight into what CPD social workers are recording and how it impacts their practice.

The importance of CPD

First and foremost, CPD is an essential reflection and learning activity and is a key part of the professional standards. It is undertaken throughout a social workers’ career to maintain and improve their practice.
It allows us, as the regulator, to see that the profession is reflecting and learning regularly. The fact that we see and review this on a regular basis gives the public confidence in the profession.

The review process allows us the opportunity to give individuals feedback and enables us to share learning across the profession.

Recommendations from our assessors

We carried out our most recent CPD review between January and March 2023. In this review, the assessors accepted 2,304 social workers’ CPD. Feedback was given to 46 social workers about how their CPD records could be improved. When a social worker is given feedback, we automatically select them for review the following December (if they apply to renew their registration).

The assessors felt the standard of CPD recorded by social workers was much higher than the previous year. A good mix of different types of CPD were being recorded in contrast to the usual training sessions and covered more diverse topics including county lines and reflecting on ‘virtual reality’ experiences of practice. They also commented that the best pieces of CPD focused on self-reflection.

The assessors have shared some of their key learning from the review. Their reflections and recommendations may be helpful to consider as you record your CPD this year.

Focus on impact

The assessors told us that some records did not show a clear link between the piece of CPD and its impact on practice. Because of this, they were unable to accept the CPD and the social worker was given feedback. Evidencing impact is an essential part of recording CPD. It shows that your learning is effective and has a positive effect on the people you work with.

Past research has suggested that one of the most fundamental impacts on a social worker’s practice is where CPD allows them to reflect on their own values and belief systems, and how these feed into decision-making. It’s important to take time to think carefully about how your learning has influenced your practice, decision-making and personal achievements.

Specify the role of the peer

We introduced the requirement to reflect with a peer in 2021, after consultation with the sector. Peer reflection means that you have discussed the content of your CPD activity with a peer, your manager or another professional.

There were some concerns from the assessors that peer reflection did not mention or specify the role of the peer, so it was often difficult to understand their direct role in the examples given. When recording peer reflection, take care to ensure that the role of the peer is made clear from the beginning.

A peer can be (any of the following):

• another social worker registered in the United Kingdom with Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Scottish Social Services Council, Social Care Wales or Social Work England
• your line manager or supervisor
• another professional who has knowledge of your social work practice

View list of other professionals that count as peers

The assessors advised peer reflection could be improved where the social worker neglected to talk about the impact peer reflection had on their practice.

Start early

The assessors commented that it was easy to notice when social workers had rushed their CPD, completing it at the last minute. It’s a good idea to record CPD as and when learning is undertaken, rather than leaving it late.
Quality CPD was recorded in good time, well ahead of the deadline. This allowed the social worker to take time to properly reflect.

Read the questions carefully

In a lot of cases feedback was given for the simple fact that a question had not been understood fully or answered incorrectly. It can be easy to pre-empt an answer when reading quickly or whilst distracted, so assessors advise social workers to first read the questions thoroughly, before writing a response.

As highlighted above, we strongly recommend recording in advance of the deadline. It takes away any time pressures and allows space for focus and reflection.

Proofread your work

Many records contained spelling errors and grammatical issues. Whilst the assessors do not assess CPD on the quality of spelling and grammar, poorly written records can be difficult to understand. Taking time to proofread before submitting your record ensures that the assessors will understand it. It also shows that you have taken care when recording your CPD. For further advice on recording, visit our CPD pages which outline what you need to know when it comes to meeting the standard.

CPD: what you need to know
How to record CPD

Back to top