New qualification for inspectors announced

A new qualification has been agreed for inspectors in the
regulation of health and social care services, CCETSW has
announced.

The qualification is based on new national occupational
standards produced by the Training Organisation for Personal Social
Services TOPSS. The aim is to ensure all inspectors can demonstrate
nationally-recognised levels of competence.

Prior learning of experienced inspectors will be taken into
account in the new qualification in the form of credits towards the
full award.

New inspectorates will have the responsibility for the
regulation of health and social care services transferred from
local authorities from April 2001. This inspection includes
services such as residential care, fostering and adoption agencies,
voluntary health and domicilary care.

Students are expected to be able to undertake the training
programme at universities and colleges from September next year.
Candidates will be able to fit studying around work
commitments.

Jennifer Barnard, chief executive of CCETSW, said: “Inspectors
play an extremely important role in ensuring safe and high quality
care is provided to some very vulnerable members of society –
such as children in public care and older people in residential and
nursing homes.

“This new award will formally recognise the wealth of experience
which already exists, and enable inspectors to learn new skills as
part of a nationally-recognised framework,” she added.

The new award will be available in England and Wales next year,
and also to inspectorates in Scotland and Northern Ireland if they
want to take it up.

The new qualification was agreed by the last meeting of CCETSW
(Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work).
Responsibility for regulating social work training in England will
be taken over by the new General Social Care Council (GSCC) from
October this year.