(1)In section 67 of the Care Standards Act 2000 (functions of the appropriate Minister), after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A)But the Secretary of State may not exercise the function under subsection (1)(a) or (d) in relation to a social worker who is registered as such in a register maintained under article 5 of the Health and Social Work Professions Order 2001.”
(2)In subsection (2) of that section, after “take part in” insert “courses approved by the Health and Care Professions Council under article 15 or by virtue of article 19(4) of the Health and Social Work Professions Order 2001 for persons who are or wish to become social workers,”.
(3)The Secretary of State may make arrangements with the Health and Care Professions Council for the discharge, during the relevant period, of the functions of the General Social Care Council; and for that purpose “the relevant period” is the period—
(a)beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, and
(b)ending with the commencement of section 212(1).