Post-qualifying framework issued

The two-year updating of social work post-qualifying training is
nearly completed with the publication of the proposed framework.

If adopted – the proposals are to be consulted on for six weeks –
the new post-qualifying framework will be introduced in early 2006.
The three new awards are in specialist social work, higher
specialist social work and advanced social work.

The General Social Care Council worked with employers,
universities, and service users on the framework.

The England Post-qualifying Consortia welcomed it, but had concerns
about the abolition of a certificate awarded to people under the
current system one-third of the way through their courses.

It said the proposals for the new system did not contain any
equivalent mid-course awards which recognised workers’ progress
when they couldn’t complete the courses.