BASW: “Optimistic” on social worker regulation switch

BASW is ‘optimistic’ about the future of social worker registration following today’s move of regulation of social workers in England from the General Social Care Council to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), but will continue to campaign for registration to be extended to student social workers, and for the right of social workers to stand up to employers against unethical practice.

Social workers in England will join 15 other health and care professions currently regulated by the HCPC, including psychologists, occupational therapists, and paramedics.

Commenting on today’s move, BASW chief executive Hilton Dawson said: “I am optimistic about this shift to the HCPC, it is an opportunity for more efficient management, and as the HPC also regulates a number of other health and psychological professionals, we hope to see more consistency than we’ve had in the past.

“We frequently advocate on behalf of members who are struggling with employers who don’t share their commitment to good social work principles, and we hope the HCPC will support social workers who find themselves in such ethical dilemmas.

“We will continue to press the HCPC to extend registration to student social workers. Social work is a very important profession, with a crucial influence on people’s lives, particularly at very vulnerable points in their lives, and the public must have every confidence that workers have been properly screened.”