title: The State of Regulation in England: From the General Social Care Council to the Health and Care Professions Council.
abstract: In this paper, we analyse the way in which social work, as a profession, has coped with and responded to the various forms of regulation to which it has been subject in England. First, we briefly detail the rise of external regulation of the professions, discussing both the rationale for, and criticisms of, such developments. Second, we take a closer look at developments within social work and the operation of the General Social Care Council (GSCC)'s conduct proceedings from its inception in 2001 until its dissolution in 2012. Third, we focus on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and consider how it has begun its regulation of social workers since it took on this responsibility from August 2012. We conclude by outlining some of the concerns we have as well as discussing reasons as to why we feel this area of work needs to be explored further.
authors: Department of Social Care and Social Work, Manchester Metropolitan University, Hulme, Manchester, M15 6GX, UK.
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: McLaughlin
authors: Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, Elmfield, Sheffield, S10 2TU, UK.
authors: Jadwiga
authors: J
authors: Leigh
authors: University of Central Lancashire, Adelphi Building, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK.
authors: Aidan
authors: A
authors: Worsley
keywords: Accountability; HCPC; capability; conduct; regulation; social work