Social work accreditation failure ‘will not trigger de-registration'

Appearing before the education select committee today, Isabelle Trowler said details around how the accreditation system will work are still being finalised, but revealed that social workers will in theory be able to continue their career if they don’t pass.

Under government plans, all child and family social workers will have to be assessed against the children and families knowledge and skills statements by 2020 at the latest.

Accreditation will involve a four-stage process. After a worker has received endorsement from their employer, they will take an online multiple choice knowledge test. Then there will be a simulated activity test – in which candidates are gradually given more information about a case and are asked questions along the way, followed by a role play, using actors, where practice is observed.

Asked what would happen if social workers failed their accreditation, Trowler said they will "absolutely need to be able to retake it".

"If there are social workers, who will absolutely be in the minority, that are not able to meet that standard then it will be a matter for the employer and the individual to develop their knowledge and skill so they are able to be accredited," she said.