Standard 7 is about supporting social workers to maintain their professional registration with the regulator.
Supporting professional registration with the regulator
Employers should:
- understand a social worker’s regulatory requirements to maintain their professional registration
- be familiar with Social Work England (SWE) professional standards for safe and effective practice and support social workers in upholding these standards. This includes providing effective CPD opportunities and supervision
- ensure that social workers have the necessary digital literacy and capability to use their SWE online account.
Upholding professional and ethical practice
Employers should:
- be clear about the circumstances in which social workers should be referred to the regulator and when they shouldn’t
- if there are concerns about an employee’s fitness to practice, take appropriate steps to inform the regulator, co-operate with investigations and hearings and respond appropriately to findings and decisions
- promote and encourage ethical practice so that social workers have the support and confidence to challenge unsafe practice and report concerns, in accordance with professional standards.
Staying aware of updates and changes to regulatory requirements
Employers should:
- be proactive in staying up-to-date with future developments and changes to regulatory requirements
- inform their workforce of any relevant changes (e.g. "future changes to Social Work England's CPD requirements).