Social worker: Training

Qualified social workers in England are required to register with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) .

Registered social workers (RSWs) are then required to keep their training and learning up to date in order to re-register with the HCPC after an initial two-year period. This can include different sorts of learning, such as reading, attending conferences/training courses and gaining a post-qualifying (PQ) award.

The post-qualifying framework implemented by the HCPC allows social workers to continue their education and training in a flexible and modular way.

There are three levels of awards in the new framework, each corresponding to a stage of professional and career development. Five corresponding specialisms link into these awards and they focus on:

• mental health;
• adult social care;
• practice education;
• leadership and management;
• children and young people, their families and carers.

RSWs also need to develop skills such as ICT, problem solving, communication, team work and personal and professional development.

The same PQ training is required in Wales, as approved by the Care Council for Wales . The Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership (NIPQETP)  for social workers is available through a partnership of education providers and employers. In Scotland, RSWs must take part in continuing professional development (CPD), which can contribute towards a registered worker's Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL). For more details, see the Scottish Social Services Council .