Post Qualifying Social Work

 

Post Qualification (PQ) Awards in social work are approved by the General Social Care Council and provide continuing professional development opportunities for qualified social workers.

The revised PQ framework was launched in September 2007 and over the past year universities have been working hard to develop a range of learning opportunities relevant to the needs of social workers in the region. In the first year four universities have offered PQ programmes.

A key feature of the revised framework is partnership between employers, universities, people who use services and carers in the development of PQ programmes. Over the past year sub-regional and regional partnerships have developed to collaborate on a range of new programmes. A significant number of North West universities are involved in these developments meaning the availability of PQ is extending across the region.

Skills for Care has supported two Innovation projects in the North West. The first has involved Salford University working in partnership with Stockport and Cheshire councils to adapt their "in house" training for newly qualified social workers so that they meet learning outcomes in the revised framework. The second project is a partnership between the University of Chester and Forum of Carers and Users of Services (FORUM) with the aim of making it possible for people who use services and carers to take a proactive role in the evaluation of social work programmes.

Skills for Care has also supported a highly successful "Return to Social Work" course in the Greater Manchester sub-region. This has been aimed at those who have been out of the professional workforce for some time as well as social workers from overseas.

Read about PQ Bursaries and the extended criteria 

 

For more information this project area contact:-

Hilary Kenny
Mobile: 07974 255 803(preferred)
Tel: 01772864171
hilary.Kenny@skillsforcare.org.uk