General
Last reviewed: September 2008

If your country of training is not listed separately, you can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom requirements (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training;
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of documents in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you have been registered or licensed as a social worker in another country, you must complete Section 5 ‘Other regulatory bodies’. You must provide a verified copy of the relevant documentation in the original language.

A translation into English is not normally required. If the registration or licensing document is in a non Latin alphabet (such as Cyrillic, Greek, Arabic or Chinese), a verified copy of the translation is required as well as a verified copy in the original language.

Translations and verification of documents

Where translations are required, you can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Australia
Last reviewed: August 2009

Purpose of guidance

The purpose of this guidance is to tell you about the criteria that you must meet for the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to assess whether you hold a professional qualification in social work that is equivalent to the United Kingdom (UK) qualification standard.

The guidance also tells you the sections of the application form you need to fill in and the documentary evidence that you need to provide.
 
You must follow this guidance in order to fill in the application form correctly.

Assessment criteria

Your application will be assessed in accordance with Section 64(1)(b) of the Care Standards Act 2000. You can apply for registration as a social worker if you:

• hold a qualification in social work which is accredited by and gives eligibility to become a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW):

You should hold either a:

• Bachelor of social work level of study leading to a BSW; or
• Master of social work level of study leading to a qualifying MSW social work qualification.

You may wish to consult the website of the AASW at http://www.aasw.asn.au/whatwedo/social-work-education to check that your qualification is accredited.
 
Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must answer questions 1-6 of Part A of Section 2 (Your social work qualification) and provide a verified copy of your qualification certificate or course transcript. This must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to page 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

The application fee

Regardless of the outcome, your initial application fee will not be refunded. For more information, refer to page 31 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Austria
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Austria; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold one of the social work qualifications listed below, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Austria.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• a Diplom Sozialarbeiter or

• a ‘Magister fuer sozialwissenschaftliche berufe’ with the additional title ‘social worker’ from a
Fachhochschule or

• a Bachelor (FH) level qualification in social work;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or

• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information, about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2 You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Botswana
Last reviewed: September 2008

To apply for registration as a social worker you should:

• hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Botswana;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of your course transcript as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Your course transcript must list all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Section 2A. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Other qualifications

If you should apply for registration and hold:

• the Diploma in Social Work from the University of Botswana and/or
• the Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Botswana;

your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the academic equivalency of your training (as advised by UK NARIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on international qualifications: www.naric.org.uk) does not meet our requirements. For further information, refer to page 7 of the information booklet: The level, length and mode of study of your course.

Whilst it is unlikely that you will be registered to practise as a social worker in England, there are a diverse range of roles in social care beyond social work. You may apply for positions in this wider field of social care which do not require registration with the GSCC as a social worker. The following link will give you information about employment opportunities in social care: www.socialworkandcare.co.uk

Bulgaria

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Section 2A. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Canada
Last reviewed: September 2009

Purpose of guidance

The purpose of this guidance is to tell you about the criteria that you must meet for the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to assess whether you hold a professional qualification in social work that is equivalent to the United Kingdom (UK) qualification standard.
 
The guidance also tells you the sections of the application form you need to fill in and the documentary evidence that you need to provide.
 
You must follow this guidance in order to fill in the application form correctly.

Assessment criteria

Your application will be assessed in accordance with Section 64(1)(b) of the Care Standards Act 2000.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you:

• hold a Master or Bachelor degree in social work that is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE): http://www.caswe-acfts.ca/en/; and
• have completed a minimum 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application.

The assessment process

We will check that you:

• hold a qualification in social work recognised by the CASWE; and
• have completed 130 days in supervised and assessed social work practice; or
• if you have completed less than 130 days supervised and assessed social work practice, you have made up the shortfall with relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application.

The criteria are explained on pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

The assessment decision

We may require you to complete a period of supervised and assessed practice placement in the UK before registration is agreed if:

• you hold a qualification in social work recognised by the CASWE; and
• we find that there is a shortfall of the 130 days in supervised and assessed social work practice that has not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment.

Alternatively, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

If you do not hold a qualification in social work recognised by the CASWE you will not meet our equivalency criteria and your application will be refused.

The National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) is responsible for providing information and expert opinion on education and training systems and skills and qualifications obtained outside the UK. More information about UK NARIC can be found on their website: www.naric.org.uk.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must answer questions 1-9 of Part A of Section 2 (Your social work qualification) and provide a verified copy of your qualification certificate or course transcript.
 
The course transcript must state the:

• title of your qualification;
• name of the training establishment where you studied;
• name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied); and
• date that the qualification was awarded in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

The minimum number days of supervised and assessed practice set by CASWE for the Bachelor in Social Work is 700 hours (117 days - a day is at least six hours). Whilst the CASWE sets the minimum amount of practice hours, some universities may require more than the minimum.

If you hold the Bachelor in Social Work and you completed more than 117 days of supervised and assessed practice placement in a social work role you should include a copy of your course transcript or a letter from the awarding body that provides evidence of the additional days.
 
If you have completed less than the minimum of 130 days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role you must tell us about your relevant post-qualifying social work employment. You must complete:

• Q.9 of Part A in Section 2;
• Section 3: Current employment status; and
• Section 4: Employment history from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

You may wish to include copies of job descriptions for periods of employment that you wish to be considered as relevant post qualifying social work employment.

Completing Section 5: other regulatory bodies

If you have worked as a social worker in a Canadian province where registration is a requirement to practise, you must include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies. You must also provide a verified copy of your current or previous registration certificate in the original language.
 
Translations and verification of documents

Translation into English of these documents is not normally required although we do reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation at your own cost.

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

The application fee

Regardless of the outcome, your initial application fee will not be refunded. For more information, refer to page 31 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Czech Republic
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2(Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Denmark

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard. (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Estonia

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. If you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Finland
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Finland; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• a Master of Social Sciences with major subject studies in social work (higher university degree)
or
• the equivalent qualification in social work recognised by the Finnish National Board of Education (Opetushallitus); please contact our helpline for further information before applying for registration

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English you have made; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Other qualifications

If you should apply for registration and do not hold one of the social work qualifications listed here, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Finland.

If you should apply for registration and hold either a Bachelor of Social Services or Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care awarded by a polytechnic, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the Finnish National Board of Education (Opetushallitus) has told us that the holder of either these qualifications is eligible to practise as a social instructor in Finland but not as a social worker.

France
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in France; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold the following qualification:

• Diplome d’Etat d’Assistant(e) de Service Social

and

• Have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies

Translation and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Germany
Last reviewed: November 2008 

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work (Sozialarbeit or Sozialpaedagogy) is regulated in Germany; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to:

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold one of the social work qualifications listed below, it is likely that your application for registration will be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Germany.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• the Bachelor of Arts: Soziale Arbeit awarded by a Fachhochschule or a University; or

• the Diplom Sozialarbeiter(in) (FH) awarded by a Fachhochschule; or

• the Diplom Sozialpaedagoge(in) awarded by a Fachochschule or a University; or
• the Diplom Paedagoge(in), Studienrichtung either Sozialpaedagogik or Sozialarbeit awarded by a University; or
• the Diplom Sozialpaedagoge(in) (BA) awarded by a Berufsakademie;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document in the original language and the English translation must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and the role of the endorser, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you hold (or have previously held) a State licence (Staatlich anerkannte) as either a Sozialarbeiter(in) or Sozialpaedagoge(in), you must include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies. You must also provide a verified copy of your current or previous licence in the original language. A translation into English is not normally required although we do reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation at your own cost.

Translations and verification of documents

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Greece
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Greece; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification listed below, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Greece.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold the following qualification:

• a Degree (Ptychio) Social Work;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and you have completed less than 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translation and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Guyana
Last reviewed: September 2008

If you should apply for registration and hold:

• the Diploma in Social Work from the University of Guyana or
• the Bachelor of Social Science (Social Work) from the University of Guyana;

your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the academic equivalency of your training (as advised by UK NARIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on international qualifications: www.naric.org.uk) does not meet our requirements.

Whilst it is unlikely that you will be registered to practise as a social worker in England, there are a diverse range of roles in social care beyond social work. You may apply for positions in this wider field of social care which do not require registration with the GSCC as a social worker. The following link will give you information about employment opportunities in social care: www.socialworkandcare.co.uk

The GSCC is looking to make contact with professional and competent authorities in Guyana to keep an open dialogue on developments in social work education there.

Hungary 
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Hungary; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• the Altalanos szocialis munkas (college level - Foiskolai) or
• the Okleveles szocialisa munkas (university level) or
• the Okleveles szocialpolitikus (university level) or
• the Zsido kozosseg szervezo szocialis munkas awarded by Orszagos Rabbikepzo - Zsido Egyetem

and

· have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translation and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. If you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Other qualifications

If you should apply for registration and do not hold one of the social work qualifications listed here, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Hungary.

If you should apply for registration and hold the Diploma Szocialpedagogus, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the Hungarian Equivalence and Information Centre (ENIC/NARIC) has told us that the holder of this qualification is not eligible to practise in Hungary as a social worker.

Iceland

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Iceland; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification listed below, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Iceland.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold the following qualification:

• the "Félagsráðgjafi" qualification awarded by the University of Iceland;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you have worked as a social worker in Iceland, you must include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies and provide a verified copy of your licence as a social worker n the original language issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Security. A translation is not normally required; although we do reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation at your own cost.

Translations and verification

Where translations are required, you can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

India
Last reviewed: November 2008

To apply for registration as a social worker you should hold:

• a three year Bachelors degree in social work; or
• a Masters degree in social work awarded by an Indian university;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, you are likely to be refused registration on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification listed here, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in India.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of your course transcript as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Your course transcript must list all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to Page 25 of the General Guidance Notes accompanying the application form

Supervised and assessed practice

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Ireland  
Last reviewed: August 2009

Purpose of guidance

The purpose of this guidance is to tell you about the criteria that you must meet for the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to assess whether you hold a professional qualification in social work that is equivalent to the United Kingdom (UK) qualification standard.

The guidance also tells you the sections of the application form you need to fill in and the documentary evidence that you need to provide.

You must follow this guidance in order to fill in the application form correctly.

Assessment criteria

The Republic of Ireland (Ireland) is a “relevant European State” for the purposes of the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007 (“the Regulations”), which brought into effect the provisions of EU Directive 2005/36/EC (“the Directive”).

Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Ireland; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there.

You can apply for registration as a social worker in the UK if you hold the:

• National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW) issued by the National Social Work Qualifications Board (NSWQB).

Your application will be assessed in accordance with Section 64 of the Care Standards Act 2000 which will take into account whether or not you are eligible to practise the profession of social work in Ireland. If you are not eligible to practise the profession of social work in your country of training, it is unlikely that you will meet our training requirements as you have not trained and qualified in social work in Ireland.

You may wish to consult the website of the NSWQB at http://www.nswqb.ie/qualification/study.html to check that your qualification is accredited.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must answer questions 1-6 of Part A of Section 2 (Your social work qualification) and provide a verified copy of your NQSW certificate. This must state the name of the training establishment where you studied and the date that the NQSW was awarded.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the document by signing and dating it. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

The application fee

Regardless of the outcome, your initial application fee will not be refunded. For more information, refer to page 31 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

 

Italy
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Italy; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and hold the Educatore Professionale qualification, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the Italian authorities have told us that the holder of this qualification is not eligible to practise in Italy as a social worker.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• the Diploma di Assistente Sociale or
• the Diploma Universitario (DU) di Servizio Sociale or
• the Laurea Triennale di Servizio Sociale;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you have worked as a social worker in Italy, you must include information about registering with your local or regional ‘Ordine’ on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies. If possible, please also provide verified evidence of your registration as a social worker with your local or regional ‘Ordine’ in the original language. A translation is not normally required; although we do reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation at your own cost.

Translations and verification

Where translations are required, you can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English you have made; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Kenya
Last reviewed: September 2008

To apply for registration as a social worker you should hold:

• a Bachelor level degree in social work;

and

• Have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in parts A and B of Section2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of your course transcript as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Your course transcript must list all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Certificate or Diploma level qualifications

If you should apply for registration and hold only a Certificate or Diploma level qualification in social work, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the academic equivalency of your training (as advised by UK NARIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on international qualifications: www.naric.org.uk) does not meet our requirements.

Whilst it is unlikely that you will be registered to practise as a social worker in England, there are a diverse range of roles in social care beyond social work. You may apply for positions in this wider field of social care which do not require registration with the GSCC as a social worker. The following link will give you information about employment opportunities in social care: www.socialworkandcare.co.uk

Latvia

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you apply for registration and you have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Section 2A. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Lithuania
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Lithuania; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification listed here, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Lithuania.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you the following qualification:

• the Bakalauro Diplomas: socialinio darbo bakalauro kvalifiikacinis laipsnis bei socialinio darbuotojo profesine kvalifikacija;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Malta
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Malta; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification listed here, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Malta.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• the Bachelor of Arts (hons) in social work from the University of Malta

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you have worked as a social worker in Malta, you must include information on your application form about your registration with the Maltese Social Work Profession Board in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies. You must also provide a verified copy of your current or previous warrant to practise.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to page 25 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Netherlands

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

New Zealand
Last reviewed: September 2008

You can apply for registration as a social worker and are likely to meet our training requirements if you:

• hold a social work qualification giving eligibility to register with the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board (NZ SWRB): http://www.swrb.org.nz/RecognisedQualifications.html

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your fee will not be refunded.

If you should apply for registration and do not hold a qualification which gives eligibility to register with the NZ SWRB, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in New Zealand.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You will need to complete questions 1-9 of Part A of Section 2 (Your social work qualification) and provide a verified copy of your qualification certificate or course transcript. It must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you have voluntarily registered with the NZ Social Workers Registration Board, you should include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies and also send a verified copy of your previous or current registration certificate.

The NZ Social Workers Registration Board allows registration (Section 13 of its Act) on the basis of having sufficient practical experience to compensate for the lack of a NZ qualification (or equivalent overseas qualification) in social work. If you have registered on the basis of Section 13, you should contact us by email at international@gscc.org.uk for further advice before applying for registration.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to page 25 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Nigeria
Last reviewed: November 2008

To apply for registration as a social worker you should hold:

• a Bachelor level degree in social work or
• a 2 year Postgraduate Diploma level in social work or
• a Masters level degree in social work;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of your course transcript as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Your course transcript must list all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Diploma level qualifications

If you should apply for registration and hold only a Diploma level qualification in social work, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the academic equivalency of your training (as advised by UK NARIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on international qualifications: www.naric.org.uk) does not meet our requirements.

Whilst it is unlikely that you will be registered to practise as a social worker in England, there are a diverse range of roles in social care beyond social work. You may apply for positions in this wider field of social care which do not require registration with the GSCC as a social worker. The following link will give you information about employment opportunities in social care: www.socialworkandcare.co.uk

Norway

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:
• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:
• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Section 2A .You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Philippines, the
Last reviewed: June 2009

The purpose of this guidance is to tell you about the criteria that you must meet for the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to assess whether you hold a professional qualification in social work that is equivalent to the United Kingdom (UK) qualification standard. The guidance also tells you the sections of the application form you need to fill in and the documentary evidence that you need to provide. You must follow this guidance to fill in the application form correctly.

Assessment criteria
Your application will be assessed in accordance with Section 64(1)(b) of the Care Standards Act 2000. You can apply for registration as a social worker if you:

• hold the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (Batsilyar sa Agham ng Gawaing Panlipunan) awarded by a prestigious higher education institution or a Centres of Excellence in the Philippines (see below for more information); and

• have been previously or are currently licensed as a social worker with the Philippine Board of Social Workers.

In accordance with the criteria set out on page seven of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form, your period of study must be equivalent to:

• three years or the equivalent academic full-time study at bachelor degree level;
or

• two years or the equivalent academic full-time study at post graduate degree level.

‘Degree level’ equates to the UK bachelor degree standard (either honours or ordinary) and ‘postgraduate degree level’ equates to the UK masters degree standard.

The National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) is responsible for providing information and expert opinion on education and training systems and skills and qualifications obtained outside the UK.

UK NARIC advise us that the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (Batsilyar sa Agham ng Gawaing Panlipunan) in the Philippines awarded from Centres of Excellence or a prestigious higher education institution is considered comparable to British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree standard.

Prestigious higher education institution
UK NARIC tell us that the bachelor degree awarded by the following prestigious higher education institution in the Philippines meet the UK bachelor degree standard:
 
•Asian Institute of Management;
•Ateneo de Manila University;
•De La Salle University;
•University of Santo Tomas; and
•University of the Philippines.

Centres of Excellence
UK NARIC has told us that The Commission for Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines identify the Centres of Excellence for particular subjects. At this time there are no Centres of Excellence for social work listed by UK NARIC.

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification awarded by a PHEI your application is likely to be refused on training grounds. This is because you would not have trained and qualified in social work in the Philippines at a sufficient academic level to meet the UK requirements.

Your application fee will not be refunded.
 
Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification
You must answer questions 1-6 of Part A of Section 2 (Your social work qualification) and provide a verified copy of your qualification certificate or course transcript. This must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded in the original language.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies
You must also include information about your registration with the Philippine Board of Social Workers on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies. You must also provide a verified copy of either your document issued by the Professional Regulation Commission’s Board for Social Workers confirming that you have been entered in the registry of professionals as a social worker or your professional identification card as a social worker issued by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Translations and verification
Translation into English of these documents is not normally required although we do reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation at your own cost.

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

The application fee
Regardless of the outcome, your initial application fee will not be refunded. For more information, refer to page 31 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Poland
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Poland; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

Detailed information on social worker qualifications in Poland is available online.

www.mpips.gov.pl under the link: “pomoc spoleczna - interpretacje wybranych przepisow prawnych - kwalifikacje pracownika socjalnego”

Eligibility to practise as a social worker in Poland

The Polish Ministry of Work and Social Policy has advised us that all individuals eligible for employment as social workers in Poland may obtain certification of their legal status at the Ministry of Work and Social Policy. Such certification is available only by presenting the appropriately legalized documents or their notarized copies. The Polish Ministry of Work and Social Policy will then certify that the holder of the qualification is eligible to practise as a social worker in Poland. Details of the process in Polish

If you should apply for registration and are unable to provide the appropriate document from the Ministry of Work and Social Policy confirming your eligibility to practise the regulated profession of social work in Poland, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Poland.

Application for registration

You can apply for registration if you:

• can provide the appropriate document from the Ministry of Work and Social Policy confirming your eligibility to practise the regulated profession of social work in Poland;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of the letter from the Polish Ministry of Work and Social Policy which certifies that you are eligible to practise as a social worker in Poland and
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Portugal
Last reviewed: May 2010

Assessment criteria

Portugal is a “relevant European State” for the purposes of the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007 (“the Regulations”), which brought into effect the provisions of EU Directive 2005/36/EC (“the Directive”). To fall within the scope of the Regulations you must be a national of an EEA member state or have enforceable community rights.

For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

Social work is an unregulated profession in Portugal. To be assessed by reference to the Regulations and in accordance with Section 64(A1) of the Care Standards Act 2000 you must:

• hold a relevant qualification (together with any relevant post-qualifying social work employment or further necessary training) which has prepared you for the profession of social work; and
• have practiced the profession of social work in Portugal for a minimum of two years during the last ten years.

If you do not meet this criteria your application will assessed under the provisions of Section 64(1)(b) of the Care Standards Act 2000. You must:

• hold a relevant qualification (together with any further necessary training) which has prepared you for the profession of social work; and
• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days of supervised and assessed practice placements in a social work role, (with any shortfall made-up of relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application).

The assessment process

Your qualification must have been awarded at the time of your application. To be registered in the UK your social work training and practice learning must meet the requirements of the UK social work standards. If there is any short-fall in requirements we will take into consideration your post-qualifying social work employment or further training in Portugal or elsewhere.

The criteria are explained on pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Social work qualifications in Portugal

The following qualifications are considered as suitable preparation for entry to the career of ‘social assistante’ in Portugal, the: 

• Licenciatura em Servico Social;
• Licenciatura em Trabalho Social; and
• Licenciatura em Politica Social awarded by the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Sociais e Politicas, da Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa.

You may apply for your qualification to be assessed if you have been awarded one of these or another qualification that prepares you for the role of ‘social assistante’ in Portugal.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must answer all the questions in sections 2A and 2B (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate; and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state, in the original language, the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded or confirmed.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded; or
  
• your Diploma Supplement; (available since 2005) a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content, credits (ECTS) and status of your studies.

Post-qualifying social work employment

We need to know about your post-qualifying social work employment in Portugal and elsewhere to:

• establish if you have worked for a minimum of two years in the last ten years in Portugal since qualifying;
• makeup any shortfall in your 130 days of supervised and assessed practice learning during training; and
• makeup for any shortfall in your training when compared to the UK social work standards.

To help us do this we ask you to complete Q.9 in Section 2A and sections 3 and 4 from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application. In addition, we ask you to provide the following supporting documents:

• job descriptions;
• testimonials from your employers detailing your role and responsibilities; and
• information about any further training you have undertaken.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost. If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date.

We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

The application fee

Regardless of the outcome, your initial application fee will not be refunded. For more information, refer to page 31 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Romania
Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Romania; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold one of the qualifications listed below, or , alternately, are not registered with the CNASR, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Romania.

Applicants who have trained and qualified in social work in Romania

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• hold a Diploma de Licenta: Titlul de Licentiat in Asistenta Sociala, Specializarea; Asistenta Sociala or
• hold a Diploma de Licenta: Titlul de Licentiat in Teologie si Asistenta Sociala, Specializarea; Teologie - Asistenta Sociala. This can include Ortodoxa teologie; Greco castolica teologie or Romano catolica teologie or
• hold a Diploma de Licenta: Titlul de Licentiat in Psihologie, Specializarea; Psihologie - Asistenta Sociala or
• hold a Diploma de Absolvire: Titlul de Asistenta Sociale, Specializarea – Asistenta Sociala;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your fee will not be refunded.

Applicants who do not hold one of the qualifications listed above

Alternately, if you do not hold one of the qualifications listed above, you can apply for registration if:

• you are registered to practice as a social worker in Romania with the Colegiul National al Asistentilor Socialia din Romania (CNASR);

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:
• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you are registered with the CNASR, you should include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies and provide a verified copy of it. A translation into English is not normally required.

Translations and verification

Where translations are required, you can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Slovakia

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; if you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:
• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Slovenia

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Slovenia this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification listed below, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Slovenia.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you the following qualification:

• the Diplomirana Socialna Delavka;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

South Africa
Last reviewed: September 2008

You can apply for registration as a social worker and are likely to meet our training requirements if you:

• hold a social work qualification awarded by a South African university;

and

• have currently or previously registered as a social worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) or one of its predecessor bodies: www.sacssp.co.za/

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

If you should apply for registration and do not hold a qualification which gives eligibility to register with the SACSSP (or its predecessor bodies), your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in South Africa.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You only need to complete questions 1-9 of Part A of Section 2 (Your social work qualification) and provide a verified copy of your qualification certificate or course transcript. It must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded in the original language. A translation is not normally required although we do reserve the right to request an independent translation, at your own cost.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2 and also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

As registration is required in order to practise as a student social worker and as a qualified social worker in South Africa, you should include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies and also send a verified copy of your previous or current registration certificate (or Certificate of Status) with the South African Council for Social Service Professions or one of its predecessor bodies. A translation is not normally required although we do reserve the right to request an independent translation, at your own cost.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify these documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Spain

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Access to the profession of social work is regulated in Spain; this means that specific qualifications are required in order to practise as a social worker there. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

If you should apply for registration and do not hold the social work qualification listed below, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee not refunded. This is because you have not trained and qualified in social work in Spain.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold the following qualification:

• the Diplomado en Trabajo Social;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through your relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:

• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies.

Translations and verification of documents

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost,

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. However, if you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of your documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify the photocopy in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Sweden

Last reviewed: September 2008

The recognition of professional qualifications held by eligible applicants is processed by the GSCC as the competent authority in England in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. For more information about your rights under the Directive go to: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you hold:

• a qualification in social work; we expect you to hold the Socionomexamen. If you have not trained and qualified in social work, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard (see pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form).

We will take into account:

• the amount of social work content of your course;
• the amount of supervised and assessed social work practice in your training;
• the level, length and mode of study of your course;
• your eligibility to be registered or licensed as a social worker in your country of training
• the accreditation of your qualification

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of either your course transcript or Diploma Supplement as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

You must also provide either:
• your course transcript which lists all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded or
• your Diploma Supplement issued by a higher education institution in a European member state; available since 2005, a Diploma supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of your studies

Translations and verification

A translation into English is required for all documents. Copies of the document must be checked by your endorser. For more information about translations and your endorser’s role, see pages 14, 18 and 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes.

You can translate the documents into English yourself; on each translated copy you must write your signature and the date. If you do translate the documents yourself, we reserve the right to ask you to provide an independent translation, at your own cost.

If you want to get a translator to do it at your own cost, they must write on each translated copy their name, signature and the date. We are unable to recommend a translator; for endorsement it does not have to be an official translator. If you are in the UK you may wish to contact your embassy or if you are abroad you may wish to contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Your endorser must verify all of the documentary evidence that we have asked you to provide in the original language and any translations into English; they must sign and date a copy of each document.

If your endorser cannot read or understand the original language of the documents, they should note this fact on the translation. They are still required to verify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Uganda
Last reviewed: September 2008

To apply for registration as a social worker you should hold:

• a Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration (with Honours)

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of your course transcript as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Your course transcript must list all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to page 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Diploma level qualifications

If you should apply for registration and hold only a 2 year Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration from the Makerere Institute of Social Development, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the length of your course and the academic equivalency of your training (as advised by UK NARIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on international qualifications: www.naric.org.uk) does not meet our requirements.
 
Whilst it is unlikely that you will be registered to practise as a social worker in England, there are a diverse range of roles in social care beyond social work. You may apply for positions in this wider field of social care which do not require registration with the GSCC as a social worker. The following link will give you information about employment opportunities in social care: www.socialworkandcare.co.uk

USA, the
Last reviewed: December 2009

Purpose of guidance

The purpose of this guidance is to tell you about the criteria that you must meet for the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to assess whether you hold a professional qualification in social work that is equivalent to the United Kingdom (UK) qualification standard.

The guidance also tells you the sections of the application form you need to fill in and the documentary evidence that you need to provide.

You must follow this guidance in order to fill in the application form correctly.

Assessment criteria

Your application will be assessed in accordance with Section 64(1)(b) of the Care Standards Act 2000.

You can apply for registration as a social worker if you:

• hold a Masters or Bachelor degree in social work that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/organizations.aspx; and
• have completed a minimum 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application.

The assessment process

We will check that you:

• hold a qualification in social work recognised by the CSWE; and
• have completed 130 days in supervised and assessed social work practice; or
• if you have completed less than 130 days supervised and assessed social work practice, you have made up the shortfall with relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application.

The criteria are explained on pages 5 to 9 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

The assessment decision

We may require you to complete a period of supervised and assessed practice placement in the UK before registration is agreed if:

• you hold a qualification in social work recognised by the CSWE; and
• we find that there is a shortfall of the 130 days in supervised and assessed social work practice that has not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment.

Alternatively, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

If you do not hold a qualification in social work recognised by the CSWE you will not meet our equivalency criteria and your application will be refused.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must answer questions 1-9 of Part A of Section 2 (Your social work qualification) and provide a verified copy of your qualification certificate or course transcript.

The course transcript must state the:

• title of your qualification;
• name of the training establishment where you studied;
• name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied); and
• date that the qualification was awarded in the original language.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role
The minimum number days of supervised and assessed practice set by CSWE for the Bachelor in Social Work is 400 hours (67 days - a day is at least six hours). Whilst the CSWE sets the minimum amount of practice hours, some universities may require more than the minimum.

If you hold the Bachelor in Social Work and you completed more than 67 days of supervised and assessed practice placements in a social work role you should include a copy of your course transcript or a letter from the awarding body that provides evidence of the additional days.

If you have completed less than the minimum of 130 days (a day is at least six hours) in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role you must tell us about your relevant post-qualifying social work employment. You must complete:

• Q.9 of Part A in Section 2;
• Section 3: Current employment status; and
• Section 4: Employment history from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application. 
  You may wish to include copies of job descriptions for periods of employment that you wish to be considered as relevant post qualifying social work employment.
  
  Completing Section 5: other regulatory bodies
  
  If you have worked as a social worker in an American state where licensing is a requirement to practise, you must include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies. You must also provide a verified copy of your current or previous licence.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to pages 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

The application fee

Regardless of the outcome, your initial application fee will not be refunded. For more information, refer to page 31 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

West Indies, University of

Last reviewed: September 2008

To apply for registration as a social worker you should:

• hold a Bachelor of Science Social Work (Special) with Honours awarded by the University of the West Indies;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role. If you do apply for registration and have not completed 130 days, your application for registration is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Sections 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:
• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of your course transcript as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Your course transcript must list all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to Page 25 of the General Guidance Notes accompanying the application form.

Zimbabwe
Last reviewed: September 2008

To apply for registration as a social worker you should:

• hold a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) or
• hold a Bachelor of Social Work or
• hold a Master of Social Work;

and

• have completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed social work practice, taking into account your training and relevant post-qualifying social work employment up until the date of your application. If you have completed less than 130 days, you should delay your application until you have reached this minimum period of employment in a social work role.

The assessment process

Your application will be assessed to compare your social work education and training with the United Kingdom standard to see if there are any substantial gaps. If we find that any substantial gaps have not been made up through relevant post-qualifying social work employment, we may require you to complete a period of additional training in the UK before allowing you to register. Alternately, you will have the option to request an aptitude test.

Completing Section 2: Your social work qualification

You must complete all questions in Parts A and B of Section 2 (Your social work qualification). You must provide:

• a verified copy of your qualification certificate and
• a verified copy of your course transcript as evidence of your course content.

Your qualification certificate must state the title of your qualification, the name of the training establishment where you studied, the name of the awarding body (if different from the training establishment where you studied) and the date that the qualification was awarded.

Your course transcript must list all of the courses studied throughout your training, including supervised and assessed practice placements (and any periods of block placements) and the marks, grades or credits awarded.

Supervised and assessed practice in a social work role

If you have not completed a minimum of 130 whole days in supervised and assessed practice in a social work role during your training and you want us to take your relevant post-qualifying social work employment into account to make up this shortfall, make sure you complete Q.9 in Part A of Section 2. You must also tell us about your work as a social worker in the employment sections of the application form (Sections 3 and 4) from the time that you qualified up until the date of your application.

Completing Section 5: Other regulatory bodies

If you are registered as a social worker with the Zimbabwe Council for Social Workers, you should include this information on your application form in Section 5: Other regulatory bodies and also provide a verified copy of your previous or current registration certificate.

Verification of documents

Your endorser must verify the documents by signing and dating each that you provide. For more information, refer to page 25 to 29 of the General guidance notes accompanying the application form.

Diploma level qualifications

If you should apply for registration and hold only the Diploma in Social Work from the University of Zimbabwe, your application is likely to be refused on training grounds and your application fee will not be refunded. This is because the academic equivalency of your training (as advised by UK NARIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on international qualifications: www.naric.org.uk) does not meet our requirements.

Whilst it is unlikely that you will be registered to practise as a social worker in England, there are a diverse range of roles in social care beyond social work. You may apply for positions in this wider field of social care which do not require registration with the GSCC as a social worker. The following link will give you information about employment opportunities in social care: www.socialworkandcare.co.uk