Find out about our Independent Practice Panel and our Fitness to Practice Policy for our Social Work students undertaking programmes leading to professional registration.
This page contains guidance on the School’s two professional practice panels; the Independent Practice Panel and the Fitness to Practice Panel. The guidance is intended as a resource for students, academic staff, placement providers, those who use social work
services and other stakeholders. It will outline the purpose, principles and process of our approach to supporting good student practice.
Independent Practice Panel policy
The Independent Practice Panel (IPP) provides independent oversight of placement provision and professional practice issues in the University of York’s professional social work degree programmes. The IPP assists the School’s Board of Studies in overseeing the quality assurance of practice learning opportunities and provides independent input into the assessment of students in relation to practice, across all professional qualifying Social Work degrees at the University of York. In discharging this role, the IPP is also the first port of call in handling any complaints or disputes that arise during placements for these programmes.
Fitness to Practice Panel policy
Social Work England requires any education provider delivering professional social work education to ensure that students are fit to practice. Students are expected to act in accordance with the Social Work England professional standards throughout their course.
- Social Work England professional standards (socialworkengland.org.uk)
The policy can be referred to for concerns regarding health and disability, and professional behaviour and conduct. It covers the period from a prospective student's application to the programme through to completion.
Both policies were reviewed by the Chair of the Board of Studies in Semester 2, February 2026.