Ladyman champions training framework

Stephen Ladyman has backed the new postqualifying training
framework for social workers. The community care minister said the
framework, unveiled by the General Social Care Council last week,
would improve practice.

There will be three awards – specialist, higher and advanced – to
replace the existing PQ1-6 awards from September 2007. The views of
service users and carers have helped shape the new framework.

Employers and academic institutions can now develop courses for
qualified social workers that take into account their training
requirements in light of recent changes, such as the social work
degree, social care register and new roles for social workers.
Regional planning networks will also bring together employers and
universities so that programmes are relevant locally.

• PQ framework from www. gscc.org.uk/qualified.htm