News

Social workers will be able to practise before they reach the age of 22 following a decision by the General Social Care Council.

The GSCC has decided to withdraw the requirement that students must be 22 before the DipSW certificate can be awarded with effect from the next academic year, and the new social work degree will not have an age restriction on qualification.

"The reform of social work education and training, together with the current recruitment campaign, may lead to more students coming forward from younger age groups," said Andrew Skidmore, GSCC registrar.

"To maintain the age restriction would appear to be contrary to the objectives of these initiatives. Existing requirements around selection procedures and assessment criteria should of themselves secure the appropriate standards of professional practice, irrespective of arbitrary age requirements."

The age restriction was set out in the rules and requirements established by the now-defunct training body CCETSW.