In this Act “approved social worker” means a social worker appointed by an HSC trust under this section.

An HSC trust must appoint a sufficient number of social workers under this section for the purpose of performing the functions conferred on approved social workers by or under this Act.

An HSC trust may appoint a person under this section only if the person is approved by the trust as having appropriate competence in dealing with people who lack capacity.

In determining whether to approve a person as having such competence, an HSC trust must have regard to such matters as the Department may direct.

Any power under this Act to prescribe a description of person includes power to prescribe approved social workers or approved social workers of a particular description.