The Development of Social Care Ireland

Dave Williams

Chairperson Social Care Ireland

What is Social Care Ireland?

Social Care Ireland is an umbrella body which incorporates the three representative bodies of the discipline of social care

- Irish Association of Social Care Workers

- Irish Association of Social Care Educators

- Residential Managers Association

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The Foundation of Social Care Ireland

Provides a model of partnership in bringing together the three major stakeholders in the social care profession: practitioners, managers and educators.

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Reasons for the Development of Social Care Ireland

To provide a consistent and cohesive voice both privately and publicly to key issues relevant to social care work and education

To help bring elements of social care education, training and practice closer together

To aid consultation for outside agencies on the development of the social care profession

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Reasons for the Development of Social Care Ireland

Follow some of the successes of other professions in providing a common voice for different branches of the same discipline

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Social Care Ireland

Is made up of nine committee members consisting of three executive committee members from the IASCE, IASCW and RMA.

IASCW: David Power, Dave Williams, Noel Howard

IASCE: Kevin Lalor, Pat McGarthy, Denise Lyons

RMA: John Molloy, Ciaran Campbell, Sean O’ Callaghan

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Development of Social Care Ireland since annual conference 2010

Establishment of Social Care Ireland Executive Committee.

Agreed constitution for the governance of Social Care Ireland as an umbrella body.

Creation of website, communication network, bank account. Web site to be launched this month.

First annual Social Care Ireland Conference.

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The work of Social Care Ireland

Meeting with Minister for Health in relation to the readiness for social care work to become a registered profession.

Meeting with Minister for Children to discuss key issues relevant to social care work e.g registration, violence against care staff, the provision of dedicated legislation for aftercare services

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The work of Social Care Ireland

Involved in the drafting of the CORU standards in measuring equivalency of social care education and training courses from outside Ireland

Involved in the drafting of the new HETAC standards for social care education and training

Involved in the compilation of the new draft standards for residential care and foster care

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Future Plans

Meeting with key stakeholders in relation to developing an agreed student policy in relation to Garda vetting

To arrange meeting with new minister for Health to further the progression of registration for social care workers

To arrange meeting with new minister for children to discuss key issues relevant to social care work

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Future Plans

Public Launch of Social Care Ireland in June 2011

To represent the views of our members as issues arise throughout the year

To assist in the co ordination of a dedicated Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Officer for Social Care Work

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Future Plans

Free seminar training days on topical issues relevant to social care work. These seminars will be conducted around the country to increase accessibility to members nationwide.

To make the Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies (IJASS) an academic journal of Social Care Ireland

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Contact Details for Social Care Ireland

Email: info@socialcareireland.ie Website: www.socialcareireland.ie Phone: 0858454380

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