UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
SPS celebrates first child care programme

On October 10 child care social workers and regional social work agencies joined staff from Bristol University's School for Policy Studies to celebrate the completion of the first Post Qualifying (PQ) Child Care Award programme. The School hosted the event to celebrate the achievement of the first 19 candidates who have successfully completed the programme.

The programme, which is run by the University's School for Policy Studies together with nine partners, started in January 2000. It was one of eight pilot programmes approved in England by the Department of Health and the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW).

A second intake of 24 students started the programme in January 2001. It is hoped that in the future the PQ Child Care Award will become part of the standard training for all child care social workers.

Those who attended the celebrations included Bill McKitterick, Director of Social Services in Bristol who co-Chairs the multi-agency programme management group with Geraldine Macdonald, Professor of Social Work at the University's School for Policy Studies; Professor Ray Forrest, Head of the University's School for Policy Studies; and Dr Teresa O'Neill, Programme Director.

The PQ Child Care Award programme has been designed to ensure the development, education and training of critically reflective social workers whose practice is child-centred and focuses on their ability to work to a high standard within a framework of equality and justice, evidence-based practice, partnership and continuing personal and professional development.

Professor Forrest, said: "Congratulations to all the candidates who have completed the first programme. The PQ Child Care Award is an important part of a major Government initiative to raise standards of social work services for children and their families/carers.

"The programme links into 'Quality Protects', the Government's programme for transforming the management and delivery of social services for children and their families. It is about improving the well-being of children in need, children who are 'Looked After' by local authorities, children in the child protection system, disabled children and other children requiring active support from social services."

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Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Friday, 12-Oct-2001 13:56:12 BST