Framework Introduction
The NI Post Qualifying Framework for Social Work is an education and training framework for registered social workers wishing to develop and enhance their skills and qualifications throughout their career in the social work profession.
The NI PQ Framework has a range of professional requirements that can be achieved through a modular approach to required education and training standards. Achievement of these professional requirements can lead to the three professional awards described below.
The NI PQ Framework became operational on the 1st of April 2007.
The professional awards are made and certified by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).
The NI PQ Framework has three Professional Awards:
NI Specific Award in Social Work:
To
develop and enhance competence beyond the Social Work Degree level and help prepare for movement into more specialist work.
NI Specialist Award in Social Work:
For those involved in complex work requiring high levels of responsibility and accountability.
NI Leadership and Strategic Awards in Social Work:
For those influencing developments and influencing others. |
Routes to Professional Requirements and NI PQ Awards
Candidates are able to access post qualifying education and training via a range of accredited provision, including: Programmes; Modules and an Individual Assessment Route.
(i) Accredited Programme/Module Route
Programmes/Modules are accredited for specified Requirements from the appropriate award.
The candidate and the employer may decide whether to complete full programmes or select a range of appropriate modules where available.
(ii) Individual Assessment Route
Candidates also have access to an Individual Assessment Route whereby submissions can be made to an Assessment Board for assessment against specified Requirements within any of the awards.
(iii) Combined Route
Candidates may achieve full awards via a combination of a Programme / Module Route
and the Individual Assessment Route.
Reference Documents
- J M Consulting Ltd (2004) A Strategy for Professional Development, Belfast: DHSSPS
- NISCC (2006) Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Framework in Social Work, Belfast: NISCC.
- PQ Partnership Handbook (PDF)
Post Qualifying Developments
The Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership seeks to provide a facilitating framework for the continuing professional development of social work staff.
Up to 2007 NIPQETP provided, under the UK PQ Framework, two nationally recognised, i.e. UK wide Awards in Social Work – the Post Qualifying Award (PQSW) and the Advanced Award (AASW). The awards reflected two different levels of competence and academically, were at Honours Degree and Masters level respectively.
These awards were very successful in Northern Ireland in enabling, measuring and rewarding the continuing professional development of social workers.
This review and changes to qualifying education in social work from diploma to degree level made it necessary to build upon the success of the UK PQ Framework in Northern Ireland and develop a new PQ Framework at Masters level. It was agreed by NIPQETP, NISCC and DHSSPS that this new PQ Framework would specifically be for Northern Ireland and hence would be called the NI PQ Framework.
As a result of the development of the new NI PQ Framework and awards, two PQ Frameworks ran in parallel until September 2010.
The UK Framework closed at the end of September 2010, and all candidates wishing to pursue PQ Training Awards in Social Work in Northern Ireland must now enroll in the NI PQ Framework.
“What is important is that all social workers, now all enrolled with NISCC, do continue with their post-qualifying development”,
Paul Martin, Chief Inspector DHSSPS. June 2006
The NIPQETP will support attainment under both Frameworks
in accordance with arrangements agreed with NISCC
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If you are looking information on the NI PQ Framework
and the NI PQ Awards then use the link below |
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