Newly qualified social workers in Scotland – A five-year longitudinal study
Please note that this dedicated space for the longitudinal study is under development.
We’ve commissioned a five-year longitudinal study exploring the experiences of NQSWs as they progress in their careers. The study aims to provide a broad view of NQSW professional development across Scotland. This is an exciting project with the final reports due in early 2022.
Researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Dundee are leading the study. It seeks to capture professional experiences, report on observed practice and trace the professional journey of NQSWs over their first five years to develop a national picture. We’ve also introduced a specific strand of the research to explore the experience of social workers who graduated in 2020 in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The research explores how NQSWs:
- experience and manage a complex, contested and dynamic landscape in relation to roles, tasks, structures and settings
- are supported, trained and developed across diverse practice settings
- identify their ongoing professional development needs as they progress their careers.
Published reports from the longitudinal study
We will be publishing the final reports and resources stemming from the study in early 2022. You can access all the interim reports from Years 1-Year 4 and the specific report on Newly qualified social workers in Scotland: Experiences of practice during COVID-19 by clicking on the links below.
You can watch this short video that tells more about the research
You can also find out more about the research from Review of Social Work Education that informed the current workstreams for Newly Qualified Social Workers in Scotland by clicking on the link below.
Next steps in the research
We are moving into the final year of the study, progressing with the research and will keep you updated here. Watch this space.