Quality practice is a central concern for SWRB SA, reflecting high professional competence, conduct and professional accountability as primary objectives of The Act (Part 1, 3c-3d). The Quality Practice Framework, comprising the Social Work Core Competencies and Code of Conduct, grounds the work of the Board, providing the foundation for the regulation and registration of social workers in South Australia.

Purposed of the Quality Practice Framework

The Quality Practice Framework has been developed for the specific purpose of regulation in accordance with the provisions of the Act. It reflects both the SWRB definition of Social Work Services and Scope of Practice, and the core ethical principles of the social work profession.

The Framework provides a foundation for understanding and responding to unprofessional conduct. This is critical in a regulatory context and relates specifically to the ‘fit and proper person’ requirement for registration. In bringing together conduct and competence, the Framework is also consistent with The Act’s interpretation of unprofessional conduct as incompetence and/or disgraceful or improper’ conduct.

The Framework emphasis on end-results and impacts reflects an outcome-focused approach that enables the transparency and accountability necessary for regulation while also providing a way to visualise what is being worked towards in a way that integrates practice, social work identity and values.

Link to PDF QPF (from Cait)

Competence and Competencies

Competencies articulate profession-specific skills, knowledge and values in relation to the work performed. They are not tied to a particular role or setting but, rather, are interrelated sets of skills, knowledge, and values that are transferable across situations and contexts.

Whereas competencies concern specific performances, competence is a broader term that refers to general capacity/ies (to perform social work services, for example). Multiple competencies, together, constitute - or ‘add up to’ - overall competence. Because competence is always relative to context, the Quality Practice Framework emphasises the identification, integration and application of contextually appropriate knowledge, skills and values.

Social Work Core Competencies

SWRB SA has identified seven areas of competency, and aligned knowledge, skills and values, that make up the Social Work Core Competencies. These represent the essential elements that, together, make up social work competence for the purpose of regulation.

The Code of Conduct

The SWRB SA Code of Conduct sets out base expectations of behaviour and practice that constitute the core requirements for professional, safe, and quality service. Developed by the SWRB SA in line with its legislated responsibility for public protection, the Code complements the broader responsibilities and principles articulated in the AASW Code of Ethics (2020) while also establishing standards against which performance can be assessed for regulating the profession.