No age restriction for social workers

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.