Social workers must be registered with the General Social Care Council. The requirements of registration include having a social work qualification approved by the GSCC. This is the same for all social workers.
GSCC have also developed a post-qualifying framework for social workers, which offers qualified social workers on-going learning and development. This sets out specialist standards for post-qualifying awards at different levels including programmes in social work with children, young people and families.
In addition, there are nine sets of National minimum standards for a range of children’s social care services. The standards are used primarily by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in regulating and inspecting these settings. The standards are also used for providing a basis for the induction and training of staff by service providers. The NMS include clear standards to ensure that staff and carers receive training and development opportunities that equip them with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and the purpose of the children’s social care setting.
Chapter 4 of the Government’s inter-agency guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (2006) sets out guidance for the training of staff and volunteers to help them safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This includes social care professionals working in child protection.
The Government have also issued a supplementary resource, “Suggested Learning Outcomes for Target Groups in Training and Development: inter-agency work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children”, for those with a particular responsibility for safeguarding children and those who work with or who are in regular contact with children, young people, parents and carers.
All training in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children should work within “The Common Core of Skills and Knowledge” (2005) for the children’s work-force.