£1.8m invested in training and development of social workers in Wales

£1.8m will be invested in raising the standard of social work practice in Wales over the next six years, the Care Council for Wales (CCW) has announced.

The money will be invested in new training and development to help social workers deliver the Welsh government’s vision for person-centred services, CCW said. The programmes will be delivered annually, with CCW funding at least 100 places a year.

The training, under the banner of the Care Council’s continuing professional education and learning (CPEL) framework, will include three programmes, aimed at experienced social workers, senior practitioners and consultant social workers.

It will be delivered by one or more universities in Wales, who have now been invited to bid for the work either individually or in partnership. CCW plans to award the contract in September, with the successful bidder or bidders developing the curricula and materials by the end of March 2014.

If approved, the programmes for experienced practitioners and senior social workers will start in 2014, with the consultant social worker programme following in 2015. 

“These programmes are designed to support social workers in developing excellent practice, whatever their role, and enhance their professionalism,” said Gerry Evans, CCW’s director of regulation and professional standards.

“As well as helping support a national career pathway for social workers, the programmes will give practitioners the training they need as they progress from being newly qualified to reaching the top of their profession. “

Evans added that social workers, employers and service users had been and would continue to be involved in the developments.

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