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Professionalism and the Professional Standards for Social Workers

👥 0 students 📖 15 lessons & topics

Course Description

Professionalism lies at the heart of safe, ethical, and effective social work practice. Breaches of professionalism can place service users at risk, damage trust, and lead to serious regulatory consequences. Social Work England expects social workers to act with honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability at all times, both within and outside professional practice. This course provides clear, practical guidance on what professionalism means in social work, why it matters, how breaches occur, and what steps should be taken when concerns arise.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for registered social workers regulated by Social Work England, working in statutory, voluntary, and independent sectors across England with children, adults, families, and communities. It is particularly relevant for social workers facing complaints, investigations, or fitness-to-practise proceedings, as well as those required to demonstrate insight, reflection, or remediation.

What You Will Learn

The course covers what professionalism means in social work, the Social Work England Professional Standards including promoting rights and social justice, establishing trust, accountability for decisions, and acting with professional integrity. It also addresses the ethical principles underpinning social work, consequences of professionalism breaches, building insight into unprofessional conduct, and reflective practice. You will develop a Personal Development Plan to demonstrate remediation and ensure concerns are not repeated.

What You Receive

On successful completion you receive a CPD UK accredited certificate and structured CPD evidence suitable for Social Work England submissions, appraisal, remediation portfolios, and employer reviews. The course is fully online and self-paced — accessible immediately after enrolment.

CPD UK Certified This course is CPD UK certified. The accredited certificate issued on completion is accepted as evidence for Social Work England submissions, appraisal, and employer regulatory reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This course is CPD UK certified, and participants receive an accredited CPD certificate on successful completion.

Yes. This course is particularly suitable for social workers dealing with complaints, investigations, or fitness-to-practise processes involving professionalism concerns.

Yes. The course provides structured CPD evidence suitable for remediation plans, employer reviews, appraisals, and submissions to Social Work England.

Yes. The course places strong emphasis on insight, reflective practice, learning from mistakes, and taking steps to ensure concerns are not repeated.

Yes. The course is delivered fully online and can be completed at your own pace, with instant access immediately after enrolment.

Course Content

1

Section 1 – What is Professionalism?

  • 1.1 What is Professionalism?

2

Section 2 – What are the Professional Standards for Social Workers?

  • 2.1 Standard 1: Promote the rights, strengths and wellbeing of people, families and communities

  • 2.2 Standard 2: Establish and maintain the trust and confidence of people

  • 2.3 Standard 3: Be accountable for the quality of my practice and the decisions I make

  • 2.4 Standard 4: Maintain my continuing professional development

  • 2.5 Standard 5: Act safely, respectfully and with professional integrity

  • 2.6 Standard 6: Promote ethical practice and report concerns

3

Section 3 – Why is Professionalism as a Social Worker Important?

  • 3.1 Why is Professionalism as a Social Worker Important?

4

Section 4 – Results of a Breach of Professionalism

  • 4.1 Results of a Breach of Professionalism

5

Section 5 – What to do if a Breach of Professionalism Happens

  • 5.1 What to do if a Breach of Professionalism Happens