In order to satisfy approval requirements, specialist programmes must show how they will enable qualified social workers to:

1. Meet the relevant academic standards associated with social work at this level.
   
   
2. Think critically about their own practice in the context of the GSCC codes of practice, national and international codes of professional ethics and the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations, including those associated with inter-agency and inter-professional work.
   
   
3. Consolidate and consistently demonstrate in direct work with users of social care services and carers the full range of social work competences across all the units of the National Occupational Standard for Social Work and in the context of one area of specialist social work practice.
   
   
4. Draw on knowledge and understanding of services users’ and carers’ issues to actively contribute to strategies and practice which promote service users’ and carers’ rights and participation in line with the goals of choice, independence and empowerment.
   
   
5. Use reflection and critical analysis to continuously develop and improve their specialist practice, including their practice in inter-professional and inter-agency contexts, drawing systematically, accurately and appropriately on theories, models and relevant up-to-date research.
   
   
6. Extend initial competence so as to develop in-depth competence in the context of one area of specialist practice to agreed national specialist standards, drawing on knowledge and experience of the range of settings and service systems that impact on the lives of service users.
   
   
7. Work effectively in a context of risk, uncertainty conflict and contradiction.
   
   
8. Teach and assess the practice of student social workers and mentor and support students or colleagues.
   
   
9. Take responsibility for the effective use of supervision to identify and explore issues, develop and implement plans and improve own practice.
   
   
10. Effectively manage own work and demonstrate a capacity to plan for and respond to change in organisation, inter-organisational and team contexts.
    
    
11. Develop and implement effective ways of working in networks across organisational, sectoral and professional boundaries, demonstrating a well-developed awareness of the relationship between social work and other roles and an ability to overcome barriers to multi-agency and multi-disciplinary communication, thereby promoting inter-professional working and delivering integrated and person centred services.