Approach Social Work participant charter

Our participant charter is the foundation on which the programme community sits. It sets out expectations that are anchored to social work values and behaviours outlined by the regulator, Social Work England, and linked to the Professional Capabilities Framework. It is not a legally binding contract, but we expect you to live out its principles throughout your Approach Social Work journey, as we believe that it will help foster an outstanding experience for all participants.

It is underpinned by four key principles:

• We treat one another with dignity and respect.
• We work together to create social change for children who do not have a safe or stable home, by developing excellent social work practice and leadership.
• We are open and inclusive to difference; to people, to ideas, to places and methods.
• We will inspire and enable our own learning and that of others.

As participants of an inclusive and welcoming community, we expect you to commit to:

• Taking an anti-racist approach, valuing diversity and challenging discrimination.
• Acting ethically and transparently, making use of fair and open means to deal with concerns and grievances and learning from them.
• Taking responsibility for your own learning by being an active participant, engaging positively with lectures and research support sessions, arranging and attending meetings with your dissertation supervisor and ensuring you spend sufficient time undertaking private study.
• Being a reliable and committed participant, turning up on time for children and families and for teaching days and practice seminars, and handing work in on the deadlines specified.
• Adopting a scholarly approach to your work and upholding academic integrity.
• Engaging in feedback processes to help improve the quality of teaching and learning.
• Reflecting on feedback before making a judgement of its value or worth.
• Communicating with each other in ways that are clear, accurate, timely and relevant.
• Accepting your responsibilities to each other at all times and working together to ensure everyone can live and study free from discrimination and harassment. This includes time spent on placement, at teaching days, and on social media.
• Upholding the Professional Standards as set out by Social Work England and the Professional Capabilities Framework as set out by the British Association of Social Work (BASW).
• Taking responsibility for managing your health and wellbeing and asking for support and help when needed.
• Taking responsibility for completing learning and reflection during the programme to develop the skills and characteristics of an impactful fellow.

If conduct falls short of the above principles, participants may be referred to the appropriate programme policy.