Named Social Worker: Findings from six pilot sites
Published by: Department of Health – July 2017
This report sets out the findings from the six sites which have been part of the Named Social Work programme during the six months from October 2016 to March 2017.
In this report you will find a summary of the impact that has been achieved in piloting a Named Social Worker approach as well as detailed findings from each of the six sites, set in the context of the scope and focus of their pilot; a set of programme level insights, drawn from the sites, about the implications of introducing a Named Social Worker model; and a selection of tools that sites have developed or adapted in order to implement their Named Social Worker model.
The programme also provided insight into how a Named Social Worker model can shift outcomes; by providing permission for social workers to work in new ways; by setting expectations around working more closely with individuals; by opening up visibility across the system for named social workers to engage at different stages of an individual’s journey; and by being an endeavour of the whole team.
The six sites in summary
Each site determined their own approach based on their local context. This resulted in a range of models being tested.
Calderdale have sought to establish relationships where power and control meaningfully shift to the individual, by putting Human Rights at the heart of everything that social workers do to support people to thrive.
Camden adapted their named social worker role from the Independent Reviewing Officer role in children’s social care. The NSW aims to hold the system to account, model best practice and identify opportunities to do things differently.
Hertfordshire have built a solid foundation of knowledge and experience to shift the culture in their team, and are shifting perspectives in the broader ecosystem. The intention is that investment in people and knowledge will make the service more robust in the future.
Liverpool have been using the named social worker role to develop new practice around assessment of inpatients; experiment and develop best practice in working with colleagues from across agencies; and to build the skills and experience of the wider team to do high quality work with people with learning disabilities of all levels of need.
Nottingham have used the named social worker pilot to understand gaps in the system (such as the causes of hospital admission) in order to shape and enable better support to individuals prior to crisis point.
Sheffield have focused on building bridges and collaborating, inviting their broader ecosystem of services to key meetings. They are focusing on doing the right thing for the person and questioning formal processes.