This page explains the role of the social services practitioner in Wales. It sets out what the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 means for practitioners and the different educational routes available to become a qualified practitioner.
About the role
Social services practitioners carry out what could broadly be described as a social work assistance role. Although the title of the social services practitioner can vary significantly across and within local authority teams, practitioners are responsible for assessments, planning, and providing support.
Social services practitioners work closely with other professionals and agencies to promote person-centred outcomes for individuals and communities. Their duties include giving advice and carrying out formal care and support planning, assessments and reviews.
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (the Act) sets the statutory framework for social care in Wales. It provides the legal framework to:
- improve the well-being of people who need care and support
- improve the well-being of carers who need support
- transform social services in Wales.
The Act emphasises that social services practitioners in Wales should work in partnership with individuals, their families, and carers to promote well-being and deliver the results people want. The Act puts individuals at the centre of their care, giving them a voice and control in decision-making processes.
Practitioners are expected to work in a person-centred way, understanding individual needs, circumstances, and preferences, including cultural, religious and language considerations. They must also challenge discrimination, bias, and systemic inequalities to make sure everyone has fair access to care and support.
The main principles and duties of the Act and what this means for practitioners
- Voice and control: individuals should take an active role in decisions about their care and support. Practitioners should help them take part and make sure their views are heard.
- Well-being: the Act’s definition of well-being is broad. It covers physical and mental health, emotional well-being, personal dignity, and social inclusion. Practitioners must think about all of these when assessing needs and planning support.
- Prevention and early intervention: practitioners should work to stop needs from arising or getting worse. They should step in early to support individuals and their families.
- Co-production: practitioners should work together with individuals, their families, and other partners to create care and support plans.
- Multi-agency working: the Act encourages agencies and professionals to work together to provide a holistic and coordinated approach to care.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Practitioners have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010, which protects people from discrimination at work and in society. They must work in a person-centred way, and make sure every individual is treated fairly and with respect, regardless of their age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. This means valuing diversity, promoting inclusion, and giving fair support that meet each person’s needs.
The practitioner’s responsibilities
- Assessment: practitioners are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs, taking into account their circumstances, preferences, and what they want to achieve.
- Care and support planning: practitioners must work with individuals to create and carry out care and support plans that fit their needs and goals.
- Safeguarding: practitioners have a duty to protect individuals from abuse and neglect, and to report any concerns they may have.
Other practitioner responsibilities:
The Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 and its Codes of Practice (the Codes)
The Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 and its Codes of Practice (the Codes)
The Act and its Codes say practitioners should work with individuals as equals – sharing power and esteem by co-producing the ‘what matters’ conversations together. There’s information on our website about the importance of having what matters conversations and how those feed into the assessment process.
The Co-production Network for Wales defines 'co-production' as:
“An asset-based approach to public services means people who give and receive services share power and responsibility, and to work together as equals, in reciprocal and caring relationships.”
Part 2 Code of Practice:
Part 3 Code of Practice:
Qualification framework
The qualification framework for social care in Wales outlines the required and recommended qualifications for various job roles within social care and regulated childcare. The qualification framework pages on the Social Care Wales website have detailed information about qualifications, by service area.
The social services practitioner role is listed on the qualification framework. under the ‘social work services’ section. We recommend registration with Social Care Wales for this role, but it’s not required.
Many local authorities use multidisciplinary or hybrid teams to meet the sector’s changing needs. Some of these teams may have similar responsibilities to those listed in the social services practitioner role, but may not have the social services practitioner title. They might also sit elsewhere on the qualification framework and may require registration.
To meet the requirements of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act and Part 3 of the Code of Practice, the following qualifications are recommended for ‘social services practitioners’:
The Open University (OU) Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care Practice (Wales)
City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner vocational qualification
Essential Skills Wales requirements
As part of the apprenticeship framework, the apprentice must complete:
- Level 2 Essential Skills Wales in Communication
- Level 2 Essential Skills Wales in Application of Number
These qualifications show the apprentice meets the required standards in literacy and numeracy set by the national apprenticeship framework.
If the apprentice already has recognised equivalent qualifications (such as GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above), they may not need to complete these, as long as the qualifications can be verified. These qualifications are mandatory parts of the programme.
Pilot report
We wrote a report about the success of the City & Guilds vocational Social Services Practitioner qualification pilot programme. It explains the changes made to better meet the needs of the students in the first cohort and improve the overall programme.
Resources to support the vocational qualification
There’s a range of free teaching resources for the City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner qualification, delivered by Bridgend College and Gower College Swansea. These are available on the Health Care Learning Wales website, in the Level 4 Social Services Practitioner qualification resources section.
The modules are available to local authorities and any other agencies. These learning resources can be delivered by in-house managers and trainers, commissioned learning providers or accessed through learning providers offering the social services practitioner qualification. You can find the learning resources on the Health Care Learning Wales website, in the Level 4 Social Services Practitioner qualification resources section.
It’s expected that any training, learning and development would follow national regulations and national and local policies and guidance.
Case studies
You can watch video case studies about the City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner qualification on the WeCare Wales website. They highlight higher level apprenticeships and show they’re available for people already working in the social services practitioner role.
Dominique Lima completed the City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner Qualification as part of the first pilot group. When Dominque started, the progression route to the second year of the social work degree through credit transfer hadn’t been agreed. Dominique took the City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner qualification to meet the requirements of her job role. You can watch Dominque’s story here. Dominique Lima - Social Services Practitioner | WeCare Wales,
- Ruby’s story highlights alternative routes into the social work degree.
- This video case study shows how the City & Guilds programme is delivered through college.
Digital learning modules
We offer a range of digital learning resources on our website to support the social services practitioner role:
Recognition and progression pathways for Level 4 Social Services Practitioner Qualification
Standalone recognition:
The City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner and the Open University Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care Practice (Wales) aren’t just stepping stones to the social work degree. Both are standalone qualifications that fully meet the requirements of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, giving practitioners the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality, person-centred care and support.
One student said, “This qualification is a vital step in acknowledging the essential work that social services practitioners do.”
Progression pathways:
In line with a commitment to long-term career development, there’s a clear and accessible progression pathway for those who’d like to advance their careers. The City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner and the Open University Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care Practice (Wales) are recognised and valued endpoints for many practitioners, and both provide a direct and supported route into the social work degree.
If someone is completing the Open University Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care Practice (Wales) and aiming to do the social work degree, they must:
- be registered for the relevant honours degree in Wales
- be registered with Social Care Wales
- have employer support for study time.
If someone is completing the City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner qualification:
- through negotiation between Social Care Wales and the Open University, the Open University will accept the City & Guilds Social Services Practitioner qualification as equivalent to the Open University Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care Practice (Wales).
This allows holders of the Social Services Practitioner qualification to enter directly into the second year of the Open University Social Work degree through the Open University credit transfer process - after reviewing and revalidating the Social Work degree, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Bridgend College have approved the City & Guilds Level 4 Social Services Practitioner qualification as equal to the first year (Level 4) of the BA (Hons) Social Work degree.
- social services practitioner qualification holders can enter Level 5 (year 2) of the BA (Hons) Social Work degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University through credit transfer. This route is designed to recognise the learning and experience gained through the qualification.
Key requirements
- Employer sponsorship: City & Guilds Level 4 social services practitioner qualification holders must have sponsorship from their employer. The employer must agree to host the student for the length of their studies.
- Application process: City & Guilds Level 4 social services practitioner qualification holders must apply to both their employer and Cardiff Metropolitan University. The university and employer will hold interviews to assess if they’re suitable to enter into the second year of the course.
- Enhanced DBS and registration with Social Care Wales: if successful and offered a conditional place, City & Guilds Level 4 social services practitioner qualification holders must:
- register as a student social worker with Social Care Wales
- get an enhanced DBS check covering both adults and children.