This report identifies some of the characteristics of groups of staff with different levels of qualification. It arose from policy concerns about the impact of higher levels of qualifications in the Northern Ireland social services workforce on such factors as mobility and motivation. We looked not only at the existence of a professional qualification but also at whether those qualified were involved in achieving further qualifications. The report focuses on managers, social workers and residential staff.
Gender plays an important role in access to further qualifications.
For example, two thirds of men but only one third of women with children under 12 were pursuing further qualifications. Older people were the least likely to receive a service from a qualified worker or from a worker interested in further qualifications. Although there were more staff with graduate status in Northern Ireland this did not appear to be associated with involvement in further qualifications. There were striking gender differences in levels of qualification. Among residential staff threequarters of women were unqualified and 5 of the 6 men.