Cap. 468 Art. 5Functions of the Board.

(1) Without prejudice to its other powers and functions, the purpose of the Board is to regulate the practice and the eligibility to practise the profession of social work in Malta, and in particular to -

(a) establish and, where necessary, assess existing social work standards and develop new continuing social work professional development and other standards, and recommend to the Minister in relation to initial and continuing social work education, proficiency, experience and other qualifications required for holding a warrant under this Act;

(b) consider, process and decide on applications for equivalence and recognition of qualifications in social work;

(c) examine applications for a warrant to practise the profession of social work in Malta and decide on the award or refusal thereof;

(d) keep an official register of all registered social workers;

(e) keep an official register of all unwarranted social workers;

(f) keep an official register of all partnerships of social workers;

(g) keep such information as may be required in relation to associations representing social workers in Malta, registered under the provisions of this Act;

(h) make recommendations to the Minister on the definition of specialised social work practice and the qualifications necessary to practise in specialised social work;

(i) make recommendations to the Minister on the code of ethics to be prescribed for the professional behaviour of social workers; such recommendations shall be made following consultation with the associations registered under the provisions of this Act;

(j) inquire into any allegation of professional misconduct, gross negligence or incompetence by a social worker;

(k) advise, or make recommendations or otherwise express its views to the Minister on any matter on which the Minister is to consult with the Board or on which the Board is to make recommendations to the Minister or on which the opinion or recommendation of the Board is sought by the Minister;

(l) perform such other functions as may arise from this Act or any other law, or as may be assigned to it by the Minister.

(2) The Board shall, not later than three months after the end of each year, publish in the Gazette, a list of persons who on the 31st December of the said year, were registered in the official register of social workers, and a list of partnerships registered in the official register of partnerships of social workers.

(3) The Board shall draw up and publish an annual report, concerning its general operations.