Regulating social work identities: some implications and dilemmas in professional registration

Since 2005 it has been illegal to call yourself a social worker if you are not registered with the care councils. ‘Protection of title’ is a milestone in the history of the UK’s social work profession. Social work registration departs from existing models of professional self-regulation, with a strong emphasis on 'lay' involvement and the interests of service users. Registering with the care council requires a serious commitment to professional standards, for each individual entering and remaining in the profession. This chapter explores some dilemmas for registration in England, making comparisons with regulation across the UK, drawing from literature and research