280.—(1) In this Act “approved social worker” means a social worker appointed by an HSC trust under this section.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.