How do I register as a social worker in Scotland with an international social work qualification?
If you are applying to register with us for this first time you will need to create an online My SSSC account. The application process can be completed via your My SSSC account. The international social work qualification assessment is part of the registration application process. Please read our full guidance document which provides detailed information regarding the application process. Failing to fully read this causes delays in getting the correct information gathered for your assessment. You can access the guidance document here.
Can I apply for employment as a social worker while my application is being processed?
You should not apply for employment as a social worker in Scotland until the assessment process is complete and you are fully registered a s we cannot guarantee that your qualification will be accepted for registration as a social worker.
You cannot practice as a social worker in Scotland until you are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council. To register as a social worker, you must hold an acceptable social work qualification. We need to complete the assessment process to determine if your non UK qualification meets our registration requirements.
The title ‘social worker’ is protected. It is an offence for a person in Scotland, with intent to deceive another, to:
- take or use the title ‘social worker’
- take or use any title that implies s/he is a registered social worker
- take or use any description that implies s/he is a registered social worker
- in any way hold her/himself out as a registered social worker unless s/he is registered as a social worker by one of the four United Kingdom regulatory bodies.
What do I need as evidence?
We cannot proceed with an assessment of your qualification without the mandatory items listed below. We also strongly encourage you to provide the additional non-mandatory items, also listed below.
Mandatory evidence:
- Your Qualification Certificate.
- A course transcript from your training provider clearly listing the units you studied and passed in each term or semester of your course.
- Detailed information from your training provider about the content of each of the units listed on your transcript, including the learning outcomes for each unit.
- Detailed information from your training provider about the practice placements completed as part of your course, including the duration of the placements, the tasks you carried out, the settings in which you worked, the standards you were assessed against, and how you were observed and assessed. Please note, we require evidence of a minimum of 130 days or 780 hours of observed and assessed practice within your qualification. If your qualification contained less than this we cannot go ahead with an assessment.
- CV or Short employment history.
Additional evidence:
- Additional information about your course, such as a course handbook.
- Additional information about your placements, such as learning agreements, supervisor reports, assessed assignments you completed.
- Information about your post qualifying experience and learning as described in the attached guidance.
- If you are a social worker, information about how you meet Standard 3 in the Standards in Social Work Education. You may wish to write about specific pieces of professional work you have completed to do this, again using the attached guidance about post qualifying learning.
- Any relevant information about social work regulation or registration that might support your application – for instance, any standards you had to meet in order to be registered as a social worker.
- Any other information you think would support your application.
The information you provide regarding your qualification must relate to youryears of study.
Does my evidence need to be verified?
We require verification of all evidence submitted for assessment. We need to be sure that supporting documents are genuine.
Do my post qualifying learning or reflective accounts I am asked to submit require to be verified?
Yes, and these should be verified by someone senior in your organisation who has observed your practice and can confirm that the evidence is a true and accurate reflection of your practice.
Does my evidence need to be translated?
Yes, where your documents are in a language other than English, you should provide a verified copy of the original native language document, accompanied by a verified translation into English. If you translate the document yourself, we ask that you write the below information on the translated copy:
- 'This text is a true and accurate translation of the attached document from [language of original] into English'
- your signature
- the date.
Do I need to provide evidence of my knowledge of English?
We do not routinely set English language requirements as part of our registration application process for qualified social workers. If assessors identify English language knowledge as an area of concern, during the assessment of international social work qualifications, we can set a control measure of an International English Language Testing System (IELTs) academic test to satisfy requirements for registration. Our current requirements are an overall score of 7, with no score less than 6.5 in each individual test part.
We are currently reviewing our process so please check our website for changes to English language requirements.
How long does the assessment process take?
If you send us all the information we require, and it is clear, we will try to advise you of the outcome of your application within four months of receipt of all of the information. Additional time may be required if we have to ask for further information or seek clarification.
Will my qualification be accepted?
We cannot guarantee that we will accept your qualification. We may set a compensatory measure (aptitude test or adaptation period) or reject your qualification for registration. Our guidance document gives more information about this including the additional costs associated with completing a compensatory measure. You can access the guidance document here.
What if my qualification is not accepted?
If your qualification is rejected, you can apply to undertake an accepted social work qualification in Scotland. You can access information regarding accepted social work qualifications in Scotland here.
It may also be possible for you to approach the Higher Education Institution (HEI) you apply to, to explore Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL can allow individuals to convert relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into academic credits that may count towards a qualification. Credits are a standard way of measuring learning. However, this would be at the discretion of the identified HEI. More information regarding RPL can be found here.
What if another UK regulator has already assessed my qualification?
We do not accept international social work qualification assessments undertaken by another UK regulator as each regulator has their own requirements and standards. We require a full assessment to be carried out for each non UK social work qualification.
How do I move to Scotland as a social worker with an international qualification?
We are not able to provide immigration advice for individuals who want to move to Scotland. More information about visa requirements can be found on the following website: www.scotland.org/about-scotland/visa-and-immigration
We currently require anyone applying to have their qualification assessed to be eligible for registration – you can find more information about eligibility here.
If you are not yet in Scotland, please get in touch with our Registration Team by emailing internationalqualifications@sssc.uk.com to discuss your requirements.
Can the SSSC provide me with help to find employment as a social worker?
It is your responsibility to apply for employment. However, our website has information regarding social work in Scotland which you may find helpful and you can access this here.
If your question about registering with an international social work qualification is not covered by the above frequently asked questions or in the guidance, please get in touch by emailing internationalqualifications@sssc.uk.com