Professional Standards
The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) is a framework for the nine levels of social work in England.
The Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) set out requirements for practice educators at two stages, commensurate with the different levels of complexity and responsibility in teaching, assessing and supervising social work degree students. The Standards are minimum requirements for all placements and were refreshed by BASW in July 2019.
Child and Family Social Work
Knowledge and Skills Statements for Child and Family Practitioners
Knowledge and Skills Statements for Practice Supervisors in Child and Family Social Work
Knowledge and Skills Statements for Practice Leaders in Child and Family Social Work
Adult Social Care
Knowledge and Skills Statements for Social Workers in Adult Services
Postqualifying Standards for Social Work Practice Supervisors in Adult Social Care
Capabilities Statement for Social Workers who work with Older People
Capabilities Statement for Social Workers Working with Adults with Learning Disability
Capabilities Statement for Social Work with Autistic Adults
For more information about how the PCF and KSS relate to each other, you can read BASW and the Chief Social Workers’ Joint statement on the relationship between the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) for Social Work and the Knowledge and Skills Statements for Children and Families and Adults.
BASW also launched a PCF, KSS and Regulatory Standards mapping guide on 28th January 2021.
Social Work England Guidance
The professional standards set out what a social worker in England must know, understand and be able to do after completing their social work education or training (Social Work England took over from HCPC as the regulator of the social work profession in December 2019). There’s also a guidance document to supplement the standards.
Qualifying Education and Training Standards
In response to COVID-19, Social Work England has taken the decision to delay the implementation of the 2020 standards until September 2021, so the 2019 standards continue to be the standards by which they monitor, inspect and approve courses until that time. There’s also a guidance document to supplement the standards.
Local Government Association Guidance
Standards for employers of social workers in England
Evidence submitted to the Social Work Task Force highlighted the need for a set of standards and supervision framework for all employers of social workers. These standards and framework set out the shared core expectations of employers which will enable social workers in all employment settings to work effectively.
National Assessment and Accreditation System (NAAS)
Resources for NAAS leads, child and family social work practitioners and practice supervisors to help them prepare for the assessment and practice endorsement.