A new framework for social workers’ post-qualifying awards in England has been launched today (28 February). It will enable courses to be developed to support social workers in developing their skills and knowledge throughout their careers, and to gain recognition of advanced professional skills. The first students will enrol on programmes by September 2007.

A better-trained workforce will help to improve standards in social care and ensure that service users receive the level of care they expect.

The launch follows extensive consultation and work with the sector, including social workers, employers, training providers and service users. This will be the basis for the long-awaited new framework.

Three new awards will be the backbone of the framework, each corresponding to a stage of professional and career development. These awards will be open to all qualified social workers and cover all the major areas of social work practice.

Regional planning networks will bring employers and universities together to ensure programmes are relevant to workforce planning and regional development.

Welcoming the new framework, Community Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "I congratulate the GSCC for developing a robust new post-qualifying framework for social workers to continue developing their skills and knowledge after qualifying. With the introduction of the social work degree, registration of social workers and soon protection of title, the new PQ framework will play an important part in raising standards in social work practice.

“This will benefit social workers themselves, their employers and more importantly, people who use services. I am delighted to see that service users and carers will play an integral part of these programmes of study."

Rodney Brooke, Chair of the GSCC said: “Consultation over the past two years has demonstrated the importance of post-qualifying education and training for social workers. The framework is designed to be flexible and user-friendly for both candidates and employers and will ensure social workers are provided with the skills and training required for delivering high quality services.”

Every Registered Social Worker needs to keep their skills up-to-date and PQ learning is an excellent way to meet the requirements for post-registration training and learning.

The new framework is being introduced to meet the needs of 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 essential to encourage ongoing learning and excellence in practice.