In recent years, induction has been identified as one of the key considerations in addressing modern labour force scenarios. It can be seen as addressing a key strand in the Government's Action Plan for People Management in the Health Service. In line with recent trends social workers are becoming increasingly mobile with a notable increase in the number of social workers coming to Ireland from other countries. Some may not be familiar with the legal and social policy systems here and, in common with new nationally qualified social workers, they face an ever more complex work environment. The NSWQB believes that implementing a full induction package in the workplace can help new staff integrate more effectively which can in turn increase employees’ job satisfaction and enhance stability in the workforce.
Two reports, "Induction Study - A Study of the Induction Needs of Newly Qualified and Non-Nationally Qualified Social Workers in the Health Boards" and "Induction Framework - An Induction Framework for Newly Qualified and Non-Nationally Qualified Social Workers" were published by the National Social Work Qualification Board (NSWQB) in January 2004. (see publications list).
The two publications address the issue of induction for newly qualified and non-nationally qualified social workers in Ireland. The study provides important new information on the views of these groups on their induction experiences. In addition to this the views of managers and trainers of new social workers on induction practices are also addressed.
The findings of this study informed the development of the second publication the induction framework. Its purpose is to provide employers of social workers with a practical set of guidelines that will assist them in developing and implementing an induction package geared towards the particular requirements of new social workers in the work place. These guidelines are intended to be sufficiently flexible to be of use to a variety of agencies but with a particular reference to the Health Service Executive (HSE). This is in recognition that the HSE is currently the largest employer of social workers in this country and is more likely to be the employer of newly qualified recruits.
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