Health and Personal Social Services (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 No. 23

Recognition of attainment of standards by social workers N.I.

4—(1) In the 2001 Act after section 10 insert—

“10A    Recognition of attainment of standards by social workers

(1) The Council may—

(a) make rules describing standards of proficiency that may be attained by persons who are social workers;

(b) by rules make provision for and in connection with the recognition by the Council of the attainment of any standard of proficiency described in the rules.

(2) Rules made by virtue of subsection (1)(b) may—

(a) provide for the way in which a standard is to be attained in order for it to be recognised (which may be by completing a course or otherwise);

(b) provide for the way in which the attainment of a standard is to be recognised (which may be by the award of a certificate or otherwise).

(3) The Council may conduct, or make arrangements for the conduct of,assessments in connection with the recognition by the Council of the attainment of any standard of proficiency described in the rules.”.

(2) In section 18(2) of that Act (fees) after paragraph (b) insert—

“(ba) assessments of a kind mentioned in section 10A(3);”.