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Q. What is the Learning and Development package for newly qualified social workers?

As a newly appointed member of staff in CSF, you will be welcomed and we are keen to do all we can to help you settle into your new post and to understand the organisation in which you will be working and your role within it. For this reason, considerable thought has been given to the Induction Programme and to how we can assist over the first few months.

Commencing employment

Before commencing employment you will be sent correspondence by the HR Team relating to your terms of employment and will receive invitations from Human Resources to attend the Department's Stage 1 and Stage 2 Inductions, which will be held at the Hertfordshire Development Centre. Among other things, these will provide an opportunity to hear from our Director and Senior Managers about the principles, purpose and culture of CSF.

On the first day

On the first day in your new post you will be met by your Supervisor and Buddy, who will act as your guide through your induction. Your supervisor will provide you with your Specific Induction binder, commence your familiarisation programme and will arrange your first supervision meeting, which will take place within seven days.

Induction programme

All new staff will be sent a mandatory training induction programme that relates to their job roles. This will be undertaken within your first six months and will include the following training Working together in Child Protection, Health and Safety, Planning for children in need, Substance misuse, Court Practice and Planning for Children Looked After. All modules are linked to the use of the IT system.

All new employees need to be able to adapt readily to their new role and surroundings. This is just as important for those who are moving to a different job within the department. To support you in your first months in your new job we have put together an induction programme which should give you the information and guidance you need to help you settle in and begin to work effectively in your new post.

Your induction will also include information about the team you are joining, how it carries out its work and the facilities available to you in a local induction pack.

During the first two months at work you will have the opportunity to visit teams within the local Area, residential establishments and other CSF agencies.

Your induction programme is the first stepping stone for you to know what is expected of you in your new post and how your contribution will fit with that of your colleagues and the overall objectives of the department. This process is on going and your manager will introduce you to the Performance Management and Development scheme, which entitles you to:

• A written Performance Agreement
• Regular supervision
• An Annual appraisal
• A Personal Development Plan

This is the framework within which your performance will be managed, you will be supported in carrying out the work required of you and in addition your own development needs can be identified. For the first six months of post, supervision will take place at least fortnightly, and then at least monthly

Having a good quality induction programme will help both you and your manager put these four elements in place for you.

Documentation

To assist you in preparing for your new position, there are a number of documents which you will have access to.

• CSF: Induction checklist, SSBN 96H84, The standards and main points that will be covered during your induction programme are contained in an induction checklist. From your first day you and your manager will use this checklist as a basis for discussion to brief you on a range of matters as part of the induction process. You should use your induction checklist to ensure that you are receiving whatever advice or instruction you feel necessary to help you settle in to your new job. The checklist is not exhaustive and there will be additional items which either you, or your manager, will wish to include. It is important that you ask about things that you are unsure about or do not understand - sometimes important questions can be overlooked by staff already very familiar with the work of the department.
• CSF : Health & Safety Induction and Training for New Staff, SSBN 95K06
• Statement of Purpose and Function