We are one of 23 accredited social work teaching partnerships funded by the Department for Education to strengthen the quality of education and training for social work students and practitioners across the West Midlands.
Our partnership includes Local Authorities, Children’s Trusts, NHS trusts and Universities. The partnership reflects the strategic priorities of the West Midlands Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and the West Midlands Association of Adult Social Services (ADASS). The partnership is led by Principal Social Workers, Workforce Development Leads and Senior Academics across Children’s and Adult Services. We bring together practitioners, senior managers, academics, researchers and experts by experience to support us in our work.
Our Vision
To achieve excellence in social work education and professional practice through a research-led and evidence based approach.
We will build on and utilise the collective strengths of our partners to ensure the West Midlands is leading pre and post-qualifying social work education, ensuring we attract, develop and retain highly skilled social work practitioners to support our diverse region.
Our Aims & Objectives
To support our strategic vision, we aim to:
What are Social Work Teaching Partnerships?
The Department for Education introduced Social Work Teaching Partnerships in 2014 to help improve the quality of practice, learning and continuing professional development for social work students and practitioners.
Teaching Partnerships are employer led and help ensure that pre and post-qualifying education is contemporary and reflects the needs of Children, Adults and Families.
Social Work Teaching Partnerships are defined as:
“An accredited collaboration between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and employers which delivers high quality training for social work students and qualified practitioners and equips them to practise to specified standards in statutory settings.”
Our priorities
The West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership aim is to improve and maintain high standards of social work education through research and practice.
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We have identified three priority areas to support our strategic vision: