Assessing the suitability of students to enter and remain on qualifying social work programmes

This document provides guidance and information about processes undertaken by higher education institutions (HEIs) and their partners to ensure the suitability of students entering, and while on qualifying programmes, leading to determination of their fitness to practise at the point of qualification, when they apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in England. This guidance has been developed under the auspices of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in collaboration with The College of Social Work (TCSW) and the Joint University Council Social Work Education Committee (JUC-SWEC). The working group comprised academic staff from HEIs providing social work programmes, practitioners and representatives of both bodies. The HCPC has commented on the draft to ensure the accuracy of its position. A full list of contributors can be found on page four. The guidance replaces that published in 2007 by JUC-SWEC and the previous regulator, the General Social Care Council (GSCC.) Revision of this guide may be needed in the future to reflect any changes in requirements by the HCPC as regulator, by TCSW as the professional body concerned with the endorsement of qualifying social work programmes, or in the light of changing legislation and/or case experience.