Explanatory note

Part 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017 (“the Act”) made changes to the way in which social workers in England are regulated. In particular, the Act established a body corporate, Social Work England, as the regulator of social workers in England in place of the Health and Care Professions Council. The Act made amendments to primary legislation consequent on the change of regulator, and to the Health Professions Order 2001 (S.I. 2002/254) (“the 2001 Order”) which regulates the Health and Care Professions Council, including to amend the title of the 2001 Order (which was previously the Health and Social Work Professions Order 2001).

The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/893) (“the principal Regulations”) are made under Part 2 of the Act. They make provision about the functions of Social Work England in relation to social workers in England, including maintaining the register of social workers and the approval of eduction and training courses.

These Regulations, which come into force at the same time as the principal Regulations (on the date on which section 39(1) of the Act comes into force), make consequential amendments to secondary legislation to reflect the transfer of functions to Social Work England and the change to the title of the 2001 Order.

Schedule 1 makes consequential amendments to Orders of Council made under the 2001 Order, Schedule 2 makes amendments consequential on the renaming of the 2001 Order, and Schedule 3 makes amendments consequential on the transfer of functions in relation to social workers.

No impact assessment has been prepared for this instrument. A full impact assessment of the effect that the principal Regulations will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT.