NISCC launch Professional in Practice CPD framework

The new continuous professional development framework for social workers in Northern Ireland – Professional in Practice (PiP) – was launched at an event in Belfast’s Crumlin Road Gaol earlier this week.

Invited guests learned about how PiP has evolved from the previous PQ framework and has been designed as a continuum of learning and development, building from the degree in social work, through the Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) and onto a career-long process that recognises both formal and informal learning.

Speaking at the event, NISCC Chief Executive Colum Conway said: “The launch of PiP is a major development for the profession of social work in Northern Ireland, providing a framework for all social workers throughout their careers. It is important for our aim of protecting the public and raising standards in social care, that social workers will keep up to date in their learning and that their professional development journey will be done in partnership with their employers. Northern Ireland is the first region in the UK to have developed a comprehensive CPD framework for social work which provides recognition and credit for all learning and development activity.”

As well as marking the official launch of PiP, the event was also a celebration of 10 years of the registration of social work in Northern Ireland. NISCC’s Director of Regulation and Standards, Patricia Higgins, described how the profession has evolved significantly in the last 10 years and post-qualifying education and training has also changed.

Patricia said: “And as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of registration we can be confident that we have a profession which has a strong foundation on which to build and one which, with its strong commitment to continuous improvement – is capable of facing the challenging times ahead.”

The event was also used to showcase NISCC’s Child Development app for the 13-18 year old age group, the third in a series of Child Development apps developed by NISCC in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.

Professor Stan Houston Queen’s University, Belfast then spoke about the Reflective Practice Model, which is one the tools that will be used to support PiP.

The keynote speaker was Terry Bamford, who has been active in social work for 50 years and previously worked as a Director of Social Services in Northern Ireland as well as being a founder member of the General Social Care Council. He spoke about developments in social work throughout the UK and praised the high standards of social work education and training in Northern Ireland.

Closing remarks came from NISCC Chair Jim Perry who spoke about his personal experiences as a carer and how he was confident that the new Pip framework will continue to strengthen the aim of public protection that registered social workers work towards.

Find out more about PiP and view the presentations and animations featured at the launch event by visiting the PiP section of the NISCC website. 

_{Pictured L-R: Joe Blake, Marian O’Rourke, Jim Perry, Patricia Higgins, Terry Bamford, Anne Campbell, Colum Conway, Mary McColgan, Stan Houston}