Social Work England publishes knowledge, skills and behaviours for social work students ahead of review of education and training standards

Social Work England has announced it will review its education and training standards, which it uses to assess and approve social work education and training courses. The standards give the public confidence that social work students and apprentices can practise safely and effectively when they qualify and apply to join the social work register.

Consultation on the regulator's proposed changes to the education and training standards (2021) will begin in Spring 2025. This will include the development of new guidance for course providers on how to meet any proposed changes to the standards.

This announcement comes as Social Work England nears the end of its first 3 year inspection programme of every social work course in England. Only students who qualify from a course approved by the regulator are eligible to apply for registration as a social worker and start practising.

Social Work England has also published a set of skills, knowledge and behaviour statements to strengthen consistency in how different courses are preparing students and apprentices to meet the professional standards and begin their practice. They were developed following extensive consultation with the sector and expert input from the Education and Training Advisory Forum.

The knowledge, skills and behaviour statements will form part of new overall guidance on ‘readiness for professional practice’ being developed alongside the review of the education and training standards. This will provide further detail for education and training providers on how to equip social work students to meet Social Work England’s professional standards and apply for registration.

Sarah Blackmore, executive director of professional practice and external engagement at Social Work England, said:

“As we come to the end of our first round of inspections, we have gained a wealth of insight into what works effectively, alongside insights into how the standards and guidance could be improved to give education and training providers more clarity and better prepare students for practice.

“We are committed to ensuring that the standards by which we regulate education and training courses, and our guidance for providers, reflect the challenges and opportunities that the social work profession experiences in daily practice. The review of the standards is part of that commitment, enabling us to consider shifting dynamics, such as the increase in hybrid working and learning, the embedding of inclusive practice, and the ethical and appropriate use of advances in technology within social work. 

“We hope the knowledge, skills and behaviours statements will be an important resource for course providers, setting out our expectations for students to be confident in areas including safeguarding, mental health, domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour, and substance use and dependency.”

Social Work England will publish information about how to get involved in this consultation. Anyone with an interest in social work education and training is encouraged to take part. It hopes to publish the revised education and training standards by the end of 2025 and will write to education providers before any changes come into effect. The regulator will provide a minimum of 12 months’ notice to education providers before implementing new standards or guidance.