Dear Social Workers Registration Board,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information relating to the revision of the Social Work Education Standards (2021–2025) to the Revised Social Work Education Standards 2026 and the SWRB’s associated decisions on qualification length and programme design.

Please provide all materials relating to each question below for the period 1 Jan 2021 – present.

***Decision-making on programme length
What factors, evidence, or advice informed the SWRB’s decision on the flexibility and acceptable length of social work programmes under the Revised Social Work Education Standards (undergraduate and postgraduate qualifying)?

• Please provide all evidence, analyses, modelling, or briefing papers considered in forming these decisions, including: consultation with social work education providers and the professional bodies; and information provided to Ministers

***Curriculum requirements and postgraduate programme length
Given the breadth of curriculum content required in the Education Standards, what assessment or analysis did the SWRB undertake to ensure a shortened (120 or 180-credit) postgraduate pathway could deliver the required learning outcomes for registration?

• Please provide any relevant reports, mapping exercises, or external advice.
• Please also provide any consultation that has been conducted in relation to postgraduate programme length.

***Advice to Ministers on alternative pathways
Has the SWRB provided any advice to Ministers or ministerial offices about apprenticeship pathways, recognition of prior learning (RPL), or other non-traditional qualification routes (i.e. apprenticeships)?

• If so, please provide copies of all such advice and any related ministerial responses.

***External direction or instruction
Has the SWRB received any specific direction, request, or instruction from any government agency or Minister in relation to the revised Education Standards?

• If yes, please provide copies of such correspondence and any rationale or justification supplied.

I understand that a decision on a request for information under the OIA should be made within 20 working days of receiving that request.

If any responsive documents are withheld or redacted, please provide a schedule describing the document, the grounds for withholding under the OIA, and the author/recipient.

Yours faithfully,

Jay Marlowe