When you work with a registered social worker, you can expect a high standard of service delivered by a qualified, capable, and accountable professional.

The Social Workers Registration Act 2021 establishes the Social Workers Registration Board of South Australia and sets out a framework to safeguard the public by ensuring that only suitably qualified and competent individuals are registered to practise as social workers.

Registered social workers are committed to upholding the values of integrity, respect, and excellence in their practice.

They are dedicated to providing support and assistance to individuals and communities, and to meeting your needs with the utmost care and professionalism.

1. Integrity, Respect, and Honesty

You can expect to be treated fairly and respectfully. This means that your worker should actively listen and respond to your needs and concerns as well as communicate clearly and in a way that you can understand.

You can also expect them to be reliable, to keep appointments and to follow up on agreements.

2. Protecting Your Rights and Privacy

You can expect your worker to be upfront about how your information will be used and managed. This includes clear explanation of confidentiality and its limits.

You can also expect your worker to act without bias and respect your cultural values and needs.

3. Accountability

You can expect your worker to keep accurate and appropriate records, with relevant context and detail, and to ensure that these are stored safely and securely.

You can also expect your worker to be aware of and provide clear information about the policies and services of the organisation.

4. Legal and Ethical Compliance

You can expect your worker to comply with relevant legal, professional and ethical obligations including maintaining their registration with the Social Workers Registration Board SA.

5. Risk Management

You can expect your worker to prioritise safety by responding appropriately to risks as well as the potential for harm, either/both to you, and by you.

6. Professional Limits

You can expect that your worker will recognise their own limits and seek support or back-up when needed. This means being aware of their limits in relation to their knowledge and skills as well as their health and well-being.

7. Professional Development

You can expect your worker to maintain and expand their knowledge and skills through continuing professional development and being open to learning from other people.

The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB SA) has set rules to ensure social workers act professionally. According to the Act, unprofessional conduct includes:

  • Not complying with the Act or conditions of registration
  • Breaching the code of conduct set by the Board
  • Incompetence in the delivery of social work services.
  • Engaging in any other behaviour or act that the Board considers unprofessional.

A certificate of registration is issued to all registered social workers. This confirms that the named person can provide social work services and details any conditions that may have been placed on their registration.

You are entitled to know whether your worker is a registered social worker. You can do this by asking to see their certificate of registration or searching the SWRB SA public register once the scheme has commenced.

One registration commences, social workers have a specified period of time (tbc) to become registered, and your social worker will only appear once they have completed their registration.

You may wish to speak with your social worker about when they will be registered.