This is a podcast of conversations about social work and social care practice, registration and regulation in Northern Ireland.
Hosted by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council), and presented by broadcaster Dr Wendy Austin, this podcast series showcases conversations and interviews with people in the social work and social care community, as well as from across the health and social care system. We discuss things that matter to social workers and social care workers, inform their learning and development, address common questions, and talk about what we can do to best support the safe delivery of quality health and social care in Northern Ireland.
If you have any comments or feedback on our podcast, please contact us by emailing: comms@niscc.hscni.net.
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The professionals who work in social care come from a wide range of backgrounds and work in a range of different settings which can be challenging and demanding. It is also true to say that there is an increasing complexity in the needs of the people they support. This means ensuring there is a well-led, skilled and valued social care workforce in place, is even more important.
In this week’s ‘Care to chat?’ podcast we hear about what is happening to support this right now in Northern Ireland with significant developments underway, including the Department for Health’s (DoH) new Social Care Workforce Strategy and the Care in Practice (CiP) Framework.
Dr Wendy Austin MBE hears from Ricy D’Cruz, a Care Assistant with Macklin Care Homes, Norah Christie, Head of Operations at Praxis Care, Mervyn Bothwell, a Professional Adviser with the Social Care Council and Jane McMillan, who is a Professional Social Work Officer, Office of Social Services at the Department of Health.
They talk about their experiences and understanding of the new Care in Practice Framework (first of its kind) which has been designed to support social care practitioners to develop professionally by providing two interlinked pathways and the creation of a brand-new level 2 qualification.
These reforms are a good news story of transformation taking place across health and social care.
The Social Care Council acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Department of Health for this initiative.
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