The recognised professional social work qualification in the Republic of Ireland is the National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW).
At the undergraduate level, two courses are accredited to lead to the NQSW: the Bachelor in Social Studies (with Honours) at University of Dublin, Trinity College, and the Bachelor of Social Work (European Pathway) at National University of Ireland Cork.
At the postgraduate level, four courses are accredited to lead to the NQSW: the Master of Social Work/Higher Diploma in Social Work Studies at National University of Ireland Cork, the Masters of Social Science (Social Work) /Higher Diploma in Applied Social Studies at National University of Ireland Dublin, the Masters in Social Work at University of Dublin, Trinity College and the Masters in Social Work at National University of Ireland Galway.
See Section 6 for full contact details of the Department of Applied Social Studies in National University of Ireland Cork, the Department of Social Policy and Social Work in National University of Ireland Dublin, the School of Social Work and Social Policy in University of Dublin, Trinity College and the Department of Political Science and Sociology, National University of Ireland Galway.
National Social Work Qualifications Board. 2000. Information on Social Work Qualifications: An Employer's Guide. Dublin: NSWQB.
Post-qualifying courses in specialist areas of social work are provided by colleges and employers. The National Social Work Qualifications Board has established a set of procedures for the accreditation of post-qualifying courses. The National Social Work Qualifications Board has also accredited the Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work) in National University of Ireland Cork.
National Social Work Qualifications Board, 8-11 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: (01) 6766281. Fax: (01) 6766289.
National Social Work Qualifications Board. 2002. Handbook of Accreditation for Post-Qualifying Courses undertaken by Social Workers. Dublin: NSWQB.
Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work).
Contact: Carmel Halton, Department of Applied Social Studies, National University of Ireland Cork.
Tel: (021) 4902828. E-mail chalthon@appsocstud.ucc.ie - Web: http://ace.ucc.ie/fieldwork.htm
The National Social Work Qualifications Board awards the NQSW and is responsible for:
Holders of qualifications gained outside the Republic of Ireland (i.e. including those gained in the North of Ireland) who wish to take up employment in Ireland should apply for accreditation to the NSWQB. Application forms are available directly from the NSWQB office or website. Candidates who meet the criteria are issued with a Letter of Accreditation.
See section 6 for full contact details of the National Social Work Qualifications Board.
The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 will introduce a system of statutory registration for practitioners of 12 health and social care professions, including social workers, in Ireland. The proposed system will apply to these professionals, regardless of whether they work in the public or private sector or are self-employed.
For social workers the accreditation system of the National Social Work Qualifications Board will be replaced with a statutory registration system. The main elements of the system will be an overseeing Health and Social Care Professionals Council and a Registration Board for each of the professions. There will also be a set of common statutory committees relating to the protection of the public. These committees will comprise a Preliminary Proceedings Committee, a Professional Conduct Committee and a Health Committee.
The object of the Council is to protect the public and to promote high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence among registrants. The registration system also sets out procedures to deal with complaints made against registrants.
The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 has been passed by the houses of the Oireachtas and was signed by the President on the 30 th November 2005. The establishment of the Council is a matter for the Minister for Health and Children.
Further information on the Act, including the Act itself is available at the following web link: www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=4805&CatID=87
National Social Work Qualifications Board, 8-11 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: (01) 6766281. Fax: (01) 6766289.
Department of Health and Children, Hawkins House, Hawkins Street, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 6354000. Fax: (01) 6354001. Web: www.dohc.ie
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