Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership

NI PQ Partnership

The Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership for social work has been in existence from 1990, with CCETSW full approval being granted in January 1993, the first in the UK. The Partnership has continued on a process of ongoing development to respond to government policy, developments in social work education and the needs of social workers and their employers. The latest development is the new Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Framework introduced in April 2007, alongside the re-approval of the Partnership by NISCC to determine and manage the arrangements for the delivery of the NI PQ Framework.

NIPQETP Mission Statement

The aim of the Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education & Training Partnership is to provide a visionary, comprehensive and flexible approach to the determination and management of the arrangements for the delivery of the Framework; the framework supports the continuing professional development of social work staff throughout their careers. The Partnership collaborates to manage the arrangements for the delivery of the Post Qualifying Framework which supports effective, safe and competent interventions with service users.

The NIPQETP is comprised of a range of bodies, representing educational, professional and employer interests. The members or partners come from the voluntary, statutory, criminal justice, education welfare and social work education institutions involved in the delivery of Post Qualifying Education and Training.

Partnership membership

• Belfast Metropolitan College  

• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust  

• Education and Library Board Education Welfare Services  

• Guardian Ad Litem Agency  

• Northern Health and Social Care Trust  

• Open University  

• Probation Board for Northern Ireland  

• Queen’s University, Belfast  

• South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust  

• Southern Health and Social Care Trust  

• University of Ulster  

• VOCALS  

• Western Health and Social Care Trust
  

• Youth Justice Agency

Values

The work of the partnership is underpinned by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s Codes of Practice for Employers and Employees; and the following values apply to all areas of its work:

Collaboration:

NIPQETP believes that effective collaboration between employers, educational establishments and social workers from all sectors is essential to meeting professional standards and the needs of service users.

Life-long Learning:

NIPQETP believes that learning continues throughout the worker’s professional life and builds on the individual’s experience. Such learning is underpinned by professional social work values and anti-oppressive practice.

Accessibility:

NIPQETP believes that post qualifying training should be available to all social work professionals wherever they work. The flexible routes to achievement reflect the diversity of the service and the different working environments.

Integrity:

NIPQETP believes that integrity and honesty are vital in maintaining trust and confidence. We will work in an open and transparent manner to ensure the highest standards of professionalism.

Excellence:

NIPQETP believes in the importance of high standards in meeting the needs of service users and stakeholders. It will continuously improve the standard of service it provides to social workers.

Equality, Diversity & Human Rights:

NIPQETP believes that a commitment to equality, diversity and the rights of the individual underpin all of what we do. We will ensure that the partnership’s role in managing the arrangements for the delivery of the Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Framework reflects this commitment.