The target date for completion of the work of current PQ consortia is 28 January 2008. This timetable has been produced to support a smooth transition from one framework to the other and to ensure:
- a continuous supply of suitably qualified social workers to meet employer needs, e.g. Approved Social Workers and Child Care Award holders;
- continuous opportunities for staff to access post-qualifying awards that may be linked to progression and salary increments (e.g. PQ1 certificate);
- continuing opportunities for registered social workers to meet post-registration training and learning requirements (PRTL);
- compliance with GSCC 'Assuring Quality for Post Qualifying Education and Training' for all those working within the current system.
In the transitional period before full implementation of the revised framework, the two principal functions remaining for PQ consortia are:
(i) to register candidates to undertake awards
final date for registrations in the current system 31 March 2007
(ii) to make recommendations to GSCC for the award of
certificates for successful candidates
final date to notify award achievement to GSCC 27 September 2008
The closure timetable allows 9 months from the end of registration for awards (March 2007) to final closure of consortia in January 2008, in which it is expected that registered candidates will either complete, or withdraw, or transfer to the new framework.
All areas of responsibility as defined in the 'Assuring Quality' documents (i.e. management; assessment and learning; quality assurance; value; and equal opportunities) must remain in some form for all awards, during the time that any candidates are registered on the current system. After March 2007 when new registrations for the current system come to an end, PQ consortium work will change in focus and volume and for some consortia, this has already begun to happen.
It is expected that all current candidates will be successfully dealt with before January 2008. However, contingencies will need to be in place to meet circumstances where a candidate has not been able to complete their award or transfer to the revised framework by January 2008.
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