Labour Court recommends independent evaluation of family therapists’ roles

The Labour Court recommended an independent evaluation of Family Therapists’ roles and said a partnership working group should be established without further delay. The recommendation was signed on 8 October 2007. The Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union argued that Family Therapy should be paid in line with Clinical Psychology. The Health Service Executive - Employers Agency proposed the Senior Social Worker grade as a comparator and supported an independent evaluation. The Court said it could not decide which existing grade, if any, was appropriate. It recommended an independent expert evaluation, with a report due by the end of January 2008, and called for the working group to complete its work promptly.