Organisational context KSS 10

Last reviewed: 6 June 2023

Aleksandarfilip/FotoliaThis page sets out the knowledge and skills listed under KSS 10 (organisational context) in the Department for Education’s post-qualifying standard: knowledge and skills statement for child and family practitioners (KSS). Against this, we have mapped Community Care Inform guides, research, learning tools and other resources to help social workers meet KSS 10 as part of learning and development during the ASYE, and other career and continuing professional development. The links to the resources are in blue; click to follow them to the page you’re interested in.

What does the statement say?	Resources to help you
A child and family social worker should be able to: • Operate successfully in a wide range of organisational contexts, complying with the checks and balances within local and national systems. • Maintain effective working relationships with peers, managers and leaders, within the profession, multi-agency partnerships and public bodies. • Act in ways that protect the reputation of the employer and the profession, whilst always privileging children’s best interests. • Manage the organisational tasks relating to lead responsibility for children with the support of an appropriately qualified supervisor and the multi-agency network. • Contribute to the organisation’s role as corporate parent to children in public care, encouraging and advocating for organisational focus, resource and support so that children and young people can thrive and enjoy their childhood and move into independence with confidence in and ambition for their futures.	Working together to safeguard children is the key piece of statutory guidance on inter-agency working. See our guide to the latest version which sets out the role of different organisations. Multi-agency working: leading the professional network and chairing meetings provides practical tips on developing and maintaining effective working relationships with partners and acting as the lead professional. The webinar on transitions and the role of adult social care supports effective multi-disciplinary working. Models of practice These resources can help you think about practising in different organisational contexts: Trauma-informed practice in direct work Signs of safety: quick guide Solution-focused practice: quick guide Systemic practice Learn on the go: restorative practice – podcast Learn on the go: strengths-based practice – podcast Learn on the go: motivational interviewing – podcast Managing and organising the many tasks that comprise casework can be a challenge for all social workers. Our guide to time management offers tips on how to take control of your workload. Managing professional boundaries in social work provides tips on ensuring you maintain professional distance while working with people on sometimes very personal issues. It also covers how to make best use of management and support structures. Information and guidance on the corporate parent role can be found in the looked-after children knowledge and practice hub and the fostering knowledge and practice hub.

What does the statement say?

Resources to help you

A child and family social worker should be able to:

• Operate successfully in a wide range of organisational contexts, complying with the checks and balances within local and national systems.

• Maintain effective working relationships with peers, managers and leaders, within the profession, multi-agency partnerships and public bodies.

• Act in ways that protect the reputation of the employer and the profession, whilst always privileging children’s best interests.

• Manage the organisational tasks relating to lead responsibility for children with the support of an appropriately qualified supervisor and the multi-agency network.

• Contribute to the organisation’s role as corporate parent to children in public care, encouraging and advocating for organisational focus, resource and support so that children and young people can thrive and enjoy their childhood and move into independence with confidence in and ambition for their futures.

Working together to safeguard children is the key piece of statutory guidance on inter-agency working. See our guide to the latest version which sets out the role of different organisations.

Multi-agency working: leading the professional network and chairing meetings provides practical tips on developing and maintaining effective working relationships with partners and acting as the lead professional.

The webinar on transitions and the role of adult social care supports effective multi-disciplinary working.

Models of practice
These resources can help you think about practising in different organisational contexts:

Managing and organising the many tasks that comprise casework can be a challenge for all social workers. Our guide to time management offers tips on how to take control of your workload.

Managing professional boundaries in social work provides tips on ensuring you maintain professional distance while working with people on sometimes very personal issues. It also covers how to make best use of management and support structures.

Information and guidance on the corporate parent role can be found in the looked-after children knowledge and practice hub and the fostering knowledge and practice hub.

Organisational context KSS 10

What does the statement say?

Resources to help you

Links to resource maps for other parts of the KSS:

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