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29/07/2003
Social work training to get new funding scheme
Health Minister, Angela Smith has announced a new funding scheme for students planning to study social work in Northern Ireland from September 2004 onwards.
Commenting on the scheme, the Minister said it marked a dramatic milestone in the process of reforming professional social work training.
She added: “It has been identified that the social work workforce requires at least 300 newly qualified social workers annually to meet the needs of Northern Ireland. This scheme is designed to attract a wide spectrum of applicants, by making the social work degree more accessible to all. Thereby, we will hope to ensure that the social work workforce reflects the community as a whole."
Among the benefits for undertaking the new Honours Degree in Social Work, students can expect:
"Social workers fulfil a demanding role, providing essential help and support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. This scheme will help us to attract the best possible social work students to meet the needs of users of services and their carers.”
(MB)
Commenting on the scheme, the Minister said it marked a dramatic milestone in the process of reforming professional social work training.
She added: “It has been identified that the social work workforce requires at least 300 newly qualified social workers annually to meet the needs of Northern Ireland. This scheme is designed to attract a wide spectrum of applicants, by making the social work degree more accessible to all. Thereby, we will hope to ensure that the social work workforce reflects the community as a whole."
Among the benefits for undertaking the new Honours Degree in Social Work, students can expect:
- Non-means-tested bursaries of at least £2,500 in each year of the course
- An additional element will be payable for mature students (25 years old and over)
- £500 towards travel expenses incurred during work based learning
- Tuition fees paid.
- Continued access to normal student support through local education authority funding and student loans.
"Social workers fulfil a demanding role, providing essential help and support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. This scheme will help us to attract the best possible social work students to meet the needs of users of services and their carers.”
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains mainly dry overnight with a touch of frost or fog patches possible in places. However, cloud is expected to increase towards dawn with the odd light shower. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
