The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) is proud to announce that the Care in Practice (CiP) Framework has been shortlisted for recognition at the prestigious European Social Services Awards.
Taking place this November, the CiP Framework has been nominated in the Social Services Delivery Innovation Award category as a transformative initiative designed to support the professional and career development of over 41,000 social care staff across Northern Ireland.
Voting is open from now until 24 October 2025 and the Social Care Council are asking for the public’s support to help this valuable work get recognised at the highest level in Europe.
Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Social Care Council, said:
“’This nomination recognises the dedication not only of our staff, but the broader collaboration with the social care sector in Northern Ireland. We work together continuously to address key sector challenges enabling the social care workforce to be supported and trained. The CiP Framework is helping shape a stronger, more confident, capable, and better prepared social care workforce. Its long-term benefits will be to support a career pathway for a valued social care workforce with the right skills and knowledge – which is critical to reforming the health and social care system in Northern Ireland.’
What is the CiP Framework?
The CiP Framework offers two interlinked pathways—one for qualifications and one for continuous professional learning—building knowledge, skills and values. The pathways support delivery of safe, compassionate care, provide clear routes for career progression and foster a culture of lifelong learning. It includes a new entrance level qualification that helps staff acquire the basics needed to provide safe and compassionate care.
How to vote for us
To vote click on the link below and select the second award category Services Delivery Innovation Award, then choose the project titled: ‘Elevating Standards: A Journey through Care in Practice.’
Alongside the Social Care Council, three other projects from Northern Ireland were also shortlisted, two from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and one from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. This is a testament to the quality of social services across Northern Ireland. The Social Care Council’s encourages people to also show their support for these projects.
Notes to editor
- The annual European Social Services Awards (ESSA), organised by the European Social Network, acknowledges outstanding achievements in social services. It highlights successful new approaches and the extraordinary ongoing work of public social services managers, funders, planners, providers, and inspectors of social services.
- The other Northern Ireland projects shortlisted include:
- ‘Cultural Competency Framework’ project, Southern Health and Social Care Trust in the Strengthening Communities and Social Inclusion Award category.
- ‘Tackling Language Barriers’ project, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, in the Digital Transformation and Technology in Social Services Award category.
- ‘Working Together; everyone benefits’ project, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Local Engagement Partnership, in the Services Delivery Innovation Award category.
- For media enquires contact Rita McCullagh, Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement on: Rita.mccullagh@niscc.hscni.net / 07874682049.