Social Work
Social work is a profession based on principles of human rights and social justice that works to empower individuals, groups and communities to develop their full potential and wellbeing. The focus of intervention is the relationship between the individual and their immediate and wider social environment. Particular emphasis is placed on meeting the needs of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups. Social work practice is informed by professional education based on critical self-reflective analysis and understanding of human development, behaviour and complex social processes. Social workers make use of an identifiable set of skills and methods including assessment, counselling, advocacy, resourcing, networking and evaluation. Social workers also pursue their objectives through research and social policy analysis.
(NSWQB, 26/03/09)
Professional Social Work Training
One of the key functions of the National Social Work Qualifications Board is to foster excellence in social work education and training. It accredits professional social work education and awards the Republic of Ireland’s professional qualification in social work, the National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW).
Accreditation of NQSW Programmes
Accreditation is a system for recognising programmes that lead to professional qualification awards. The accreditation process provides professional judgements on the quality of a social work education programme in preparing students to work as effective professionals in a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies.
The NSWQB accredits social work programmes in Ireland leading to the NQSW. The revised handbook National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW) Accreditation Standards and Procedures was published in 2010. Qualifying level social work education must ensure the achievement of a set of outcomes that lays the foundation for a career in social work. On graduating, all social workers in Ireland will have achieved a common set of key programme learning outcomes. Accreditation of programmes which lead to the NQSW is therefore based on an integration of the theory and practice in social work as illustrated by the figure below:
The handbook on the National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW) Accreditation Standards and Procedures also sets out procedures for accreditation and for the formation and operation of the Panel of Assessors and Accreditation Panels.
Post-qualifying Education and Training
The initial professional social work qualification (NQSW) referred to above is the first stage in a commitment to life long learning and continuous professional development. Post qualifying programmes are an important part of the training continuum as illustrated below:
Induction
The learning outcomes acheived through NQSW programmes will be extended and refined in the workplace during initial induction under the supervision of a more experienced professionally qualified social worker. In 2004, the NSWQB produced the Induction Framework. The purpose of this publication is to provide employers of social workers with a practical framework to assist them in developing and implementing a full induction package for newly qualified and non-nationally qualified social workers.
Supervision
Supervision is an essential and lifelong component of professional social work. For the protection of the public and promotion of quality service, social workers require access to formal supervision that is regular, consistent and of high quality.
(NSWQB Policy 28/02/05)
PQ/CPD
While continuing professional development has traditionally been undertaken by social workers, there is as yet no one universal approach in Ireland. It is recommended that social workers log, or continue to log, their participation in activities relevant to their on-going professional development. Such activities could include: courses relevant to their work, attendance at seminars, conferences, journal clubs, contribution of articles, participation in or undertaking research and/or policy initiatives. The log should include a brief account of the learning derived from the activity.
Accreditation of Post-qualifying Programmes
As part of their commitment to post-qualifying training, the NSWQB accredits post-qualifying programmes for social workers, in accordance with the Handbook of Accreditation of Post-Qualifying Courses undertaken by Social Workers. Accreditation of post-qualifying programmes is based on the following areas, as set out in the Handbook:
Employers
The National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW) is the professional social work qualification in Ireland, granted to students who successfully complete a recognised course. The NQSW has been awarded since 1993. Previously, courses were accredited by the UK body CCETSW, which awarded the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW). The CQSW is equivalent to the NQSW.
All of the following are recognised for practice as professional social workers in Ireland:
For recruitment purposes, employers should ask to see original copies of the NQSW, CQSW or in the case of those who have non-national qualifications, the Letter of Accreditation from the NSWQB. Employers are also advised to check with the NSWQB to make sure that holders of NQSWs or Letters of Accreditation are entered on record.
The NSWQB issues letters of verification to holders of CQSWs, if required.
See also:
- Employers FAQ
- Employers Guide (printed publications)
- Employers (non-national qualifications)
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