Social Work Qualifications and Regulation in European Economic Area (EEA)

The General Social Care Council and Skills for Care and Development commissioned Dr Shereen Hussein, of King's College London, to conduct a short piece of research on social work qualifications and regulations in the European Economic Area (EEA). The research, including collecting primary data and documentary analysis, was conducted from early January to March 2011. Section 61 of the Care Standards Act 2000 protected the title of 'social worker'; making it an offence for an individual to describe oneself as a social worker, with intention to deceive, if not registered with the care councils in England and Wales. Section 54 established the General Social Care Council (GSCC) for England and the Care Council for Wales (CCW), and gave them general powers, which may be subject to direction by the appropriate Minister. These included an express power for the Councils to co-operate with other public authorities in the United Kingdom and outside.