Linking Professional Standards with the PCF
Learning Objectives
Having completed this Preparation for Practice you should better understand the links between the PCF and the SWE Professional Standards, especially those relating to building rapport and trust with people, and promoting their rights and strengths.
The importance of self-assessing your personal and professional development as a social work student on placement can’t be stressed strongly enough. Fenge et al., (2014) refer to an ‘autobiography of personal and professional growth’ as the notion of tracking your progress throughout the placement from start to finish linked to the relevant assessment framework. In England, the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) is the recognised assessment criteria, which is closely affiliated with Social Work England (SWE) Professional Standards. SWE published their professional standards in July 2019, following extensive consultation, to ensure that the standards are specific to the social work profession, reflect the value and diversity of practice, and reinforce the need for social workers to have a positive impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities.