 psychbird 2010_150.jpg "Transfer of GSCC functions to Health Professions Council")
The review of the Department of Health's Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs) published on 26 July 2010, set out the Government's intention for the GSCC's functions to be transferred to the Health Professions Council (whose name will be changed to reflect their new remit), by April 2012 at the earliest.
This decision was only made shortly before the publication of the ALB review and came as a surprise to us. While we recognise the economic imperative behind the decision, we feel strongly that it is vital that the new system continues to build confidence and trust in the social work profession.
I hope you received my email telling you about the announcement (if not do please update your email address with us), which explained that in the short to medium term this will have no impact on your dealings with us as we have been told that the new arrangements will not come into effect before 2012 at the earliest. Social work is, and will remain, a regulated profession. You are still required to register, pay your annual fee, renew your registration and complete postregistration training and learning (PRTL).
Regardless of where responsibility for the regulation of social workers sits in the future, regulation will continue to be the hallmark of a valued profession; it is what puts social workers on par with the other professionals you work
beside. Regulation is also a crucial public safeguard that helps to give the public trust and confidence in the work of social work professionals.
"You are still required to register, pay your annual fee, renew your registration and complete postregistration training and learning (PRTL)."
Our focus over the next couple of years will remain on delivering the challenging reform agenda set out by the Social Work Task Force to strengthen the social work profession. We are as clear as ever of the need to sustain our public protection work, to build public confidence in regulation and social workers, and advance the professionalisation of social work. We will continue to work in partnership with social workers, employers, service users, the public and other stakeholders in achieving this.
We are now having regular meetings with Government departments, the HPC and others in the social work sector, including Moira Gibb, to assist in the planning of the transfer. We will keep you regularly updated with progress on the transfer plans through our website (www.gscc.org.uk) and Social Work Connections.
Although these changes will not impact on your registration with us for the foreseeable future, we understand that you may have more questions. We have sought to answer these in a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on our website.
Penny Thompson, Chief Executive, GSCC
