Part 2: Social workers etc in England Section 42: Improvement Standards
Subsection (1) of this section allows the Secretary of State to determine and publish improvement standards for social workers in England. The Secretary of State is also able to carry out assessments of whether people meet these improvement standards. There is a power under subsection (2) for the Secretary of State to arrange for another person to do any or all of these things.
	Subsection (3) requires the Secretary of State to consult with such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate before determining any improvement standards.
	Subsection (4) explains that an improvement standard is a professional standard the attainment of which demonstrates particular expertise or specialisation.
	Nothing in this section limits anything in section 41 (professional standards) (subsection (5)).