Agencies have a responsibility to define service and quality standards which take into account the needs and expectations of users, ethical principles, professional objectives, and cost-effectiveness. These standards should be derived from research, and should be transparent and regularly monitored. Social workers should be involved in defining and monitoring these standards. The training of social workers should involve, on all levels, participation by educators, practitioners and users. Teachers of social work practice in institutions of higher education should have personal experience of social work practice.
Research is essential for the development of social work.
All social work practitioners must understand the application of research, be able to interpret research, and have the opportunity to undertake or participate in research. Agencies specialising in social work must support these principles by creating an open working environment, constantly learning not only from the outcome of research, but also from the views of service users and the experience of social work practitioners. The working environment of social workers should be favourable to the implementation of ethical principles and good practice. Social workers should have the opportunity to be promoted to the post of expert practitioner, or to management and academic positions. In order for social services to be of satisfactory quality, appropriate mechanisms for the exchange of knowledge, and the mobility of social work professionals between European states are necessary.