The professional education and training of the social work workforce is crucial to the delivery of high-quality services across health and social care, education, justice and the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.
A new report published today by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) .demonstrates that a significant part of this being a success is the level of commitment of social workers and social work students.
The report details the Social Care Council’s regulatory activity in relation to social work education and training of the social care workforce during 2023-24 and is structured around three main areas, supporting and developing the social work workforce, the professional development framework for social workers (Professional in Practice (PiP), and regulation of the social work workforce. It also reflects on developments within the profession and the challenges social workers are facing.
Social Care Council Interim Chief Executive, Declan McAllister, believes that it is important to let the public know about the robust system in place to support the education and training of social workers in Northern Ireland and the emphasis placed on the drive to deliver high-quality care.
He said: “Our work in the regulation of social work education and training helps to ensure that the social work workforce is well positioned to support and protect the social wellbeing of our citizens and communities’
“We do not do this in isolation. Without the impressive commitment of social workers and social work students, and strong collaboration with partners in education and employers, these positive outcomes would not be possible. We work hard to ensure we have strong partnerships and leadership to support this important statutory function, and nurture high quality social work practice.
The report has been published by the Social Care Council, the body responsible for regulation of all 6,763 social workers and 802 social work students, and the regulation of the social work education and training courses available in Northern Ireland.
Want to know more?
The Social Care Council’s report on the regulation of social work education and training in Northern Ireland can be viewed on the website – niscc.info/accountability-reports.
For more information:
Rita McCullagh,
Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement
Rita.mccullagh@niscc.hscni.net
07874682049