Partnership Aims & Structure

NI PQ Partnership

The Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership for social work is part of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), having been incorporated into the Council in April 2009. Prior to this it had been in existence from 1990, with CCETSW full approval being granted in January 1993, the first in the UK. The PQ Partnership has, from its inception,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 Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Framework was introduced in April 2007. The PQ Partnership, as part of NISCC determines and manages the arrangements for the delivery of the NI PQ Framework. The PQ Partnership is strengthened by being an integral part of the social work profession’s regulatory body in Northern Ireland

Partnership Aims

The Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership for Social Work is a partnership of voluntary, statutory, criminal justice, education welfare and social work education institutions involved in the delivery of Post Qualifying Education and Training.

The PQ Partnership’s aim is to support the continuing professional development of social work staff throughout their careers. PQ Partnership members collaborate to manage the arrangements for the delivery of the Post Qualifying Framework which supports effective, safe and competent interventions with service users.

The work of the partnership is underpinned by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s Codes of Practice for Employers and Employees (NISCC codes of Practice)

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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 PQ 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.

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Partnership Values

The work of the PQ 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.

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Partnership Membership

• Beeches Management Centre

• Belfast Metropolitan College  

• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

• Children in Northern Ireland
  

• 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  

• Chief Officers of 3rd Sector 

• Western Health and Social Care Trust
  

• Youth Justice Agency

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