Key social justice considerations when selecting students for social work education

This event sought to combine messages from research and practice experience to inform the planning and implementation of robust, yet realistic, systems for assessing suitability at the point of admission, and throughout the student life cycle on social work programmes. The event combined delivery of presentations with small group workshops and discussions to enable participants to reflect on the complexities involved in assessments of suitability in the current context (e.g. balancing widening participation agendas with academic attainment of entrants). We looked in some detail at the recommendations of the Social Work Reform Board for England and emerging sector guidance. The event included a presentation from lawyers from a leading international law firm experienced in advising HEIs about their obligations under the Equalities Act in relation to admissions and suitability processes and procedures.