Social work is a global practice with common values and transferable skills – it is a profession that embraces cultural diversity and sees different practice experiences as being a strength for social work practice, including in the Northern Ireland context.
This episode is a celebration of that, as ‘Care to chat?’ dedicates a conversation to internationally qualified social workers – both those who are thinking of coming to work in Northern Ireland, those who are already working here and those who support them on their journey to supporting communities.
So, who are internationally qualified social workers’ and how come they want to practice social work in Northern Ireland? In the studio with our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE, are Tricia Devlin, Professional Advisor, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Rosie Fleming, Social Work Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Albert Abraham, Social Worker, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust who is originally from India and Kellie Young, Probation Officer, Probation Board for Northern Ireland, who is a proud Yorta Yora woman from Yorta Yorta Country in Victoria, Australia.
This episode provides need to know advice for anyone from outside the United Kingdom wishing to apply to practice social work in Northern Ireland – both from the regulator and personal experience perspective. For example, to work in Northern Ireland as a social worker, you must first register with the Social Care Council – and important tips such as before doing anything – read the Social Care Council’s guidance, ensure you start your application early as it can take time, get your university documents ready before you submit your application and be able to present evidence of your practice history. These tips and hints, and things to look out for are shared, including expert advice from those with experience of becoming registered to work in Northern Ireland.
No doubt there are challenges, both in making sure that there are rigorous and robust regulatory and registration processes that then ensure people are ready to practice, when applying for employment, and navigating different cultural and practice contexts as someone not from Northern Ireland.
What is clear is the fulfilling work internationally qualified social workers are doing to make a difference for us all.
The Probation Board for Northern Ireland’s Kellie Young, a social worker with over 20 years’ experience, shared what she believes she brought from Australia to her social work practice in Northern Ireland:
“Different perspective – I see through a different lens and being an Aboriginal woman and working in different communities, it’s a bit familiar. I bring experience in trauma, poverty, discrimination – but it’s the perspective, it’s a different viewpoint on how I see things.”
Content warning: The episode deals with sensitive issues related to racism and other forms of discrimination. If this topic raises sensitive or triggering emotions for you, now may not be the right time for you to listen to it. Look after yourself when listening to this and ensure you seek support.
There are lots of helpful resources available for internationally qualified social workers wishing to practice in Northern Ireland on the Social Care Council website – check them out.
‘Care to chat’ releases a new episode every fortnight, discussing current topics about social care and social work regulation in Northern Ireland. Listen to ‘Care to chat’ wherever you find your favourite podcasts including Apple, Spotify, or on our website at: niscc.info/care-to-chat-podcast, where you can find all the new episodes and episodes from our previous series.
Episode 6: Internationally qualified social workers – Embracing our common values (40 minutes)
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As the Care to chat podcasts are designed with the social care and social work workforce in mind, we would like to invite suggestions of topics that our listeners would be interested to hear covered. If you have questions, suggestions or feedback about the podcast, email: comms@niscc.hscni.net.