Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to the recent advertisement for the post of Chair of Social Work England, what assessment they have made of the extent to which the requirement to "respond proactively to the current and future direction of Government policy and strategy" is consistent with the requirement to maintain Social Work England's "reputation as a trusted, knowledgeable and independent regulator".

As an independent regulator, overseen by the Professional Standards Authority, Social Work England carries out its regulatory functions, as set out in legislation. This includes holding a register of social workers and carrying out fitness to practise processes. In the context of significant reform of both children’s and adult’s social care, Social Work England is also helping to shape the future direction of government policy with respect to its areas of responsibility, including legislative frameworks for social workers. As a central government organisation, it is entirely consistent that an independent professional regulator should work with government to shape policy and strategy in this way. Further information about Social Work England can be found at: https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/about/our-role-and-legislation/.