Northern Ireland social workers must have regular training

Northern Ireland’s social workers will have to take regular training to maintain their registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, it was announced today.

The measure is included in the country’s Personal Social Services Development and Training Strategy, which has been published by social services minister Paul Goggins.

Goggins, a trained social worker, said the public must have confidence that social workers are “highly skilled, well-motivated individuals who can deliver a safe and effective service”.

There are more than 4,000 social workers registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, which was set up in 2001.