A consultation on the future of the framework for post-qualifying education and training for social workers in England has been launched by the General Social Care Council.
The consultation will look at the effectiveness and relevance of the framework, to make sure it is able to adapt to the fast-changing social care sector. Recent changes in the sector, including the introduction of the new degree, the opening of the Social Care Register, and the development of new roles for social care workers, will have a major impact on social workers and the work that they carry out. An up-to-date framework for professional development is necessary to encourage ongoing learning and excellence in practice.
In addition to individual responses to the consultation document, focus groups and regional events will be held during April and May. The GSCC will be asking for the views of employers, workers, people who use social care services, and other professional regulators and training providers.
Rodney Brooke, Chair of the General Social Care Council said: “Social workers are working in more and more challenging environments, across traditional professional boundaries, and are handling major changes in service delivery. We need to look at the current training framework and consider whether it is still effective. The consultation will play an important part of the review of the framework, giving key stakeholders involved in post-qualifying training an opportunity to shape its future.”
The current framework was established in 1990 and more than 15,000 social workers in England have gained a qualification. Currently social workers can choose from a range of post-qualifying training which provides both higher levels of general competence and specialist skills in child care, mental health and practice teaching.
gscc007/03
14 April 2003
Notes:
1. For further details on the review of the social work post-qualifying education and training framework, please visit the 'New post-qualifying framework' page, email pqreview@gscc.org.uk or telephone 020 7645 3370.
2. The review is based on eight principles, which will guide the future development of the framework:
- relevant
- efficient & effective
- meaningful
- affordable and value for money
- linked
- flexible
- understandable
- accessible
3. The post-qualifying framework exists alongside other structures for learning, and it is important that the framework is compatible with these broader structures. The review is not, however, focused on the broader issues around continuing professional development. Qualified social workers joining the Social Care Register will be expected to undertake a minimum of 90 hours or 15 days of ongoing study or training, in order to re-register after three years, training that may include some of the recognised post-qualifying awards. A further consultation will be undertaken with registrants on the requirements for re-registration, at a later stage.
PQReviewconsultationpaper.pdf