This section contains documents which are relevant to the setting up and approval of new courses.We are required by law to ensure that social work course providers meet our standards in order to keep the quality of social work education high and consistent throughout England. Once approved, courses are inspected on an annual cycle. The results are published in the Annual quality-assurance report.
If you would like to discuss accreditation or course approval, contact your regional inspector.
Inspection reports of all social work degree providers
In order to become more open about our regulatory work in social work education and as a lever to ensure more consistency and improve quality of courses the GSCC is now publishing reports of
- annual monitoring;
- re-approval;
- preliminary investigation; and
- full inspection of social work degree courses.
This will also enable prospective students, employers and the public to know more about the quality of social work qualifying courses.
Accreditation of universities to grant degrees in social work
Published in 2002.
In order to offer a social work degree course, universities or colleges must first apply for and receive GSCC accreditation. This document sets out the details and criteria of the accreditation process. It includes the standards of governance, validation, recruitment, teaching and assessment you will be expected to have in order to offer the social work degree and the process required for monitoring, review and inspection. *Please note that guidance on page 39 “Requests for reconsideration of approval decisions” has been reviewed and the process now in place can be found here (HEI Guidance).
Statement of commitment
Universities or colleges seeking to offer the degree are required to submit a Statement of Commitment form, in which they commit to ensuring that each graduate will be competent to practice as a social worker.
Approval of courses for the social work degree rules
Published in 2002.
These rules set out the legal basis for the GSCC's approval of courses.
Arrangements for monitoring social work degree courses
Published in 2005.
This document provides information for course providers and external examiners about how we monitor social work degree courses.
Codes of practice for social care workers and employers
Published in 2002.
These are the national standards of professional conduct and practice adopted by social care agencies in the public, private and voluntary sectors and will eventually apply to over one million workers and about 23,000 employers. They are already binding on 93,000 qualified social workers and social work students. For more information about groups registering in the future
Quality Assurance for Practice Learning (QAPL)
In conjunction with Skills for Care (SFC) and Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) we have developed a new tool for HEI quality assuring of practice placements.
The tool comprises questionnaires to be completed by HEI, Student and Practice Educators together with a database for analysis and reporting of completed forms.
Download the Quality Assurance for Practice Learning (QAPL) tool (Zip file 568KB)
OTHER USEFUL DOCUMENTS
DH Requirements for Social Work Training
Published by the Department of Health in 2002.
This document sets out the Department of Health's expectations on the prescribed curriculum and admission requirements for social work degree courses.
National Occupational Standards for Social Work
Published by Skills for Care (formerly Topss England) in 2002.
National Occupational Standards web page at Skills for Care.
The National Occupational Standards for Social Work describe the functions of social workers. They provide a benchmark of 'best practice' in social work competence across the UK, and form the basis for the new social work degree.
QAA Code of Practice on Placement Learning
Revised in 2004.
Universities will also be required to allocate and audit practice learning opportunities in line with the above code of practice. This document provides guidance and a set of principles for institutions offering placement learning as part of an academic course. This includes the rights and responsibilities of all in the arrangement, delivery assessment and evaluation of placements.
QAA Subject benchmark statement for social work
Published by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in 2008. Visit the QAA's subject benchmark web pages.
This document is a key reference for universities in designing and developing their new degree course. It was compiled by a group of subject specialists and provides general guidance about the nature and characteristics of social work degrees, including learning outcomes and expectations of standards.
Suitability for social work report
Published by the GSCC in 2007
Ensuring the suitability of social work student to access and continue their training.
Working towards full participation report
Published by the GSCC in 2005.
This report promotes the participation of people who use services and carers in all aspects of social work education and is supported by Government and a wide range of other national organisations. The report uses information gathered by the GSCC from a wide range of sources to analyse how people who use services and carers worked together with universities in planning and delivering the first year of the social work degree.