# 2.5 Who regulates social workers?

There are four social work regulators in the UK: one for each of the four nations. Each nation can establish its own legislation for these areas, as social care and social work regulation is a devolved matter. Currently, the regulators are:

- England – Social Work England
- Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Social Care Council
- Scotland – Scottish Social Services Council
- Wales – Social Care Wales.

Figure 9 Social work regulators

Each of the regulators has a wealth of information about their role, how they undertake their function and the relevant legislation that established them.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in social work you should visit the regulator for your nation using the relevant link above. However, it would also be a good idea to look at the other regulators and see where there is any overlap in their functions.

OpenLearn - Social work law and UK regulation
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