Dr Shereen Hussein Senior Research Fellow Social Care Workforce Research Unit

1. Heterogeneity of social work education and regulation in the European Union in the context of free labour mobility Dr Shereen Hussein Senior Research Fellow Social Care Workforce Research Unit King’s College London shereen.hussein@kcl.ac.uk JSWEC 2nd July 2012

2. Rational for the research • Commissioned by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and Skills for Care and Development (SfC&D) • Increasing mobility of social work (SW) professionals across Europe and Beyond. • Demand for a transparent and fair approach to facilitate SW mobility within the European Economic Area (EEA) • Diversity of SW qualification and regulation processes across Europe Shereen.hussein@kcl.ac.uk

3. Context: the European Union • Main foundation of EU is • ‘Free movement of goods, persons, services and capital’ across EU countries. • EU expansion in 2004; • A8 accession states • Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic • UK one of the few countries to allow free labour activities of A8 citizens since 2004, restrictions removed by other countries in 2011 Dr Shereen Hussein

4. Context- EU and UK immigration policies • Newest EU members in 2007, A2, Bulgaria and Romania • Some restrictions on labour market activities • All restrictions likely to be removed by 2013 (Hansard, 2010) • UK immigration policy • Points system introduced in 2008 (for non-EEA workers) • Cap on non-EEA migrants introduced in April 2011 Dr Shereen Hussein

5. Context- social work qualification process in the EU • Progressive ‘academisation’ across Europe • Bologna Process (1999) • Aiming to achieve greater compatibility between European qualifications • However, some countries are signed to the Bologna Process, but regulations are not yet established Dr Shereen Hussein

6. The role of international social workers in the UK • At least 8 percent of all registered social workers in England gained their qualifications outside the UK. • Concentration in children’s social work and recruited in local authorities with sever shortages • Especially those offered work permits under the points’ system; non-EEA migrants • In 2008, 32 percent were from Australia and South Africa only • Other main sending countries included Commonwealth countries such as India and Canada (Hussein et al 2011) Dr Shereen Hussein

7. The role of international social workers in the UK- cont. • Clear observed changing trends in sending countries • Mainly linked to political and immigration policy changes • More applications from within the EU (especially A8); but unconditional acceptance to register rate is lower among EEA applicants. • Traditional sending countries had strong colonial links and exchange with UK • Effects on curriculum content and qualification structure  geared to the UK system Dr Shereen Hussein

8. Trends in non-UK qualified social workers applications Source: Hussein et al (2011) Dr Shereen Hussein

9. Current research aims • Provide up-to-date and standardised information on the status of social work profession and its regulation in the EEA. • Further the understanding of social work qualification and training • Facilitate SW mobility across Europe. • Identify areas of commonality and diversity in SW training and regulation across Europe Dr Shereen Hussein

10. Research methods • Took place from December 2010 to June 2011 • Examined non-UK qualified SW professionals statistics • Reviewed the literature • Collected primary data from 24 European countries through an online survey and electronic communications • Via UK Contact Point • Documentary data analysis of communications and documents held by the GSCC Dr Shereen Hussein

11. Collected information on • Regulatory status and process for entering the social work profession; • Dutiesor activities that are seen as social work; • Qualifications that give access to the social work profession; • Accreditation process and quality controls for social work awarding bodies and qualifications; • Conduct, discipline and fitness to practise; • Arrangements for continuous professional development; and • Information exchange with EEA countries in the future e.g. Internal Marketing Information (IMI) and European Certificate of Current Professional Standing. Dr Shereen Hussein

12. Survey findings:Social Work professional activities in the EEA • Variability of activities • Most countries identifying ‘Assessing individuals, families, cares risks needs’ as one of the main SW activities • Small number of countries identifying ‘statutory responsibility of individuals they are working with’ or ‘advocacy’ as main core SW activities Dr Shereen Hussein

13. Dr Shereen Hussein

14. Social work regulatory and professional bodies in EEA countries • Among the 22 countries completing the survey, 12 (54.5%) indicated that social work is considered to be a regulated profession according to Article 3.1(a) of the Directive. • Out of the 10 countries indicating that the profession is not regulated, • half (5) indicated that SW education and training are regulated and geared towards the profession. • The majority of countries (n=13) have recognised (usually national) social work professional bodies. Dr Shereen Hussein

15. Example of social work regulation and qualifications: Romania • Wide range of activities of social workers, including community development and statutory responsibilities • Social work is considered a regulated profession (Acts 2004, 2006) and the title ‘asistent social’ is a protected title. • SWs register with a regulatory body and require a licence to practise. • Registration is valid for life (subject to annual fees) • No clear pathway of conducts and fitness for practice • Qualifications gained through diploma (pre-Bologna), undergraduate and postgraduate routes • No clear information on practice placement requirements Dr Shereen Hussein

16. Example of social work regulation and qualifications: Germany • No indication of ‘statutory responsibilities’ of social workers • Wider range of social work focus including clinical social work, therapy work and involvement in social policy. • Training and qualifications are regulated, however, the profession is not regulated. • Different regions have various systems for regulating (mainly training and qualifications) • Study of social work and social education including integrated practical training at a state or state-recognised university, leading to diploma or Bachelor of Arts • Practice placements of two 20-weeks internship • Students produce weekly activity reports. During internship semesters, students take part in theory-related seminars, the seminars serve as an exchange of experience. Supervision also takes place during the seminars • Several protected titles Dr Shereen Hussein

17. Important considerations • Emerging ‘laws’ in some countries, however, they take time to be established and effective • Histories of social work varied dramatically across Europe • In some countries it is very ‘new’; e.g. social work profession was introduced in Bulgaria only in 1990s • In Romania, legal recognition of SW as a profession became effective in 2005. • In Poland, Social Assistance Act 2004 then amended in 2007 • Difference interpretations of concepts and terminology Dr Shereen Hussein

18. Social work education and qualifications • Majority of qualifications are geared toward social work, however, definitions of social work are very variable. • Great variability of practice placement lengths, timing and supervision. • Inconsistencies in monitoring and assessing fitness to practise. Dr Shereen Hussein

19. Internal Market Information • The survey collected information on whether each country intends to use the Internal Marketing Information (IMI), and the European Certificate of Current Professional Status. • Out of the 22 countries responding to the survey, 12 indicated their intention to use IMI, 4 indicated that they do not intend to use it and 6 did not provide information Dr Shereen Hussein

20. Country by country details • The report includes details of SW activities, qualifications and regulation for 24 EEA countries: • http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/sshm/scwru/pubs/2011/hussein2011eea.pdf Dr Shereen Hussein

21. Conclusion • The research has produced very valuable information on the social work profession, education and training, and regulation in a considerable number of European countries. • The overall analysis indicates the variation of social work activities and regulatory systems across Europe. • Of particular interest is the fact that taking statutory responsibility for individuals, whether children, families or older people, was not regarded to be part of social workers duties and activities in a considerable number of European countries. Dr Shereen Hussein

22. Points for further discussions • Interpretation difficulties and different layers of regulation, definitions, terminologies and the potential for lost meaning in translated texts • Opportunities through the EC Internal Market Information System (IMI) for mutual exchange on qualifications and regulatory fitness to practiseissues. • Extent and integration of practice learning, assessed alongside course curriculum or thereafter for the award of the qualification. Dr Shereen Hussein

23. References • Hansard(2010) House of Lords Written Answers, Worker Registration Scheme, 5 July 2010. Volume No. 720, Part No. 24. London. • Hussein, S., Stevens, M. Manthorpe. J. and Moriarty J. (2011) Change and continuity: a quantitative investigation of trends and characteristics of international social workers in England. British Journal of Social Work. 41(6): 1140-1157. • Hussein S. (2011) Social Work Qualifications and Regulation in European Economic Countries. General Social Care Council and Social Care Workforce Research Unit: London. Dr Shereen Hussein

24. Special thanks to • Catherine Holland, Social Care Innovation Hub: C.holland@leeds.ac.uk • Cathrine Clarke, Policy and Research Adviser, General Social Care Council: Cathrine.Clarke@gscc.org.uk • Further information, please contact: • Dr Shereen Hussein, Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London: shereen.hussein@kcl.ac.uk • (44) 207 8481669 Dr Shereen Hussein