Social Workers in Probation

2010 / 11            Chairperson:                     David Williamson

                             Secretary:                           Saragh McGarrigle         

The new SIG for Probation Officers was established in March 2011. The Probation Service is a major employer of Social Workers on a national basis and has also committed significant resources to supporting unqualified staff to attain the NQSW through a modular programme with UCD. The introduction of registration and the IMPACT branch goal of setting the NQSW as a baseline qualification has helped foster a renewed interest in developing the profession within the field of Criminal Justice. 

The SIG, chaired by David Williamson and with Sarah McGarrigle as Secretary has now formally met once and has sought to have a motion put before the IASW AGM on setting the NQSW as the base qualification for Probation Officers. We will be looking to support the development of CPD programmes and points for staff within Probation and to playing an active part within the IASW.