Why are unqualified people able to practise as social workers?

The Social Workers Registration Board is urging the government to make registation mandatory, where currently it is voluntary. It says that there are 12 thousand people who identified their profession as Social Worker in last year's census who by law are able to practice without qualification, police clearance, supervision or professional development. The Chief Executive of the Social Workers Registration Board Sean McKinley, says his organistion has deregistered social workers for convictions for theft, violence, drug and alcohol offences, indecent assault, rape and attempted murder.