The Department of Health and Social Care today placed an Appointed Day Order for Part 5 of Regulation of Care Act before Tynwald regarding the matter of social workers’ registration.
 
This measure will make it compulsory from 1 May 2014 for all social workers on the Island to be registered with a professional body in neighbouring jurisdictions, such as the UK’s Health and Care Professions Council. 
 
It will be an offence for persons who are not registered to use the term ‘social worker’ with the intent to deceive others.  Using the term ‘social worker’ includes using a title or description which implies that persons are registered. Those who use the protected title or practice without registration, as well as fail to carry out adequate employment checks, may face prosecution.
 
The Department’s Registration and Inspection Unit will ensure that care service providers who employ social workers assure themselves, and the Registration and Inspection Unit, that social workers are registered.
 
The purpose of this measure is to provide the public and those who use social work services with assurance and confidence about such services.
 
Minister for Health and Social Care, Hon Howard Quayle MHK, said: “The requirement for social workers to register with a professional body will help to ensure and maintain acceptable levels of practice, and development.  The requirement for registration brings the social work profession in line with many other disciplines and provides the public with clear information around acceptable standards of conduct and proficiency.  The introduction of this part of the Act is a further example of the Department’s commitment to maintain and improve our standard of care through regulation.”