The Professional Standards Authority has released the 2012-2013 performance review for the various health and care professions regulators throughout the UK. The performance review is the annual check on how effective the regulators have been in protecting the public and promoting confidence in health professionals in the UK, social workers in England and in the regulators themselves. Regulators’ performance is assessed in their four regulatory functions: guidance and standards, education and training, registration and fitness to practice using the PSA’s Standards of Good Regulation. The report indicates that regulators were generally performing well against most of the Standards of Good Regulation and are meeting their statutory responsibilities. Three regulators were identified as not meeting one or more of the Standards of Good Regulation and specific actions are already in place to address the areas of concern.
The three major changes for the PSA in the preceding year, namely acquiring oversight of the regulation of social workers, advising the Privy Council on appointments to the regulator’s councils and the accreditation scheme for voluntary occupational registers, were said to have been ‘implemented effectively and on time’.
The report indicated that the number of cases reviewed in the 12 month period covered by the Report is 2,738 (more than double the number 5 years ago). Of the 2,738 cases received by the PSA this year, 1,932 were closed with no requirement for more information. Additional information was sought and considered in 377 cases.
