Remove requirement for social workers to declare health conditions, says GSCC

Social workers should not have to declare health conditions when they apply for registration, the General Social Care Council (GSCC) has said today in a letter to the Department of Health.

Currently, the GSCC is required by law to be satisfied that anyone registering with them is physically and mentally fit to perform a social work role. Applicants have to make a formal declaration to the GSCC about any health condition that may have an impact on their ability to practice social work. This could result in registration being refused.

Having considered the issue for some time, the GSCC says this requirement in the Care Standards Act 2000 is an unnecessary and discriminatory barrier and is calling on the Government to remove it.

GSCC Chair Sir Rodney Brooke, who has written to the Minister of State for Health Services Ben Bradshaw, said:

ìHaving considered this at length, we believe it is up to individuals and their employers to manage their health condition and it is up to them, rather than the regulator, to decide whether they are able to perform their duties as a social worker. Whilst this requirement remains in place, it leaves prospective social workers open to discrimination on the grounds of their health.

ìWe think the requirement should be removed from the legislation as soon as possible and hope that the Health and Social Care Bill provides the opportunity to do this.î

Commenting on the GSCCís recommendation, Neil Crowther, director of disability programmes at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:

ìWe welcome this move by the GSCC. Students and qualified social workers should be judged on their ability to practice competently and safely, rather than on a health condition.

ìThe EHRC hopes that other regulatory bodies will now follow suit and call for the removal of these discriminatory requirements.î

The Disability Rights Commission conducted a recent investigation into the barriers people with impairments and long-term health conditions face in trying to pursue careers in teaching, nursing and social work across Great Britain. The report, ëMaintaining Standards: Promoting Equalityí, was published in September.