The Department for Social Welfare Standards is the regulatory body in the Social Welfare sector. Once the required legislation is enacted, it will focus on the licensing of social welfare services, on the monitoring and assessment of established standards, and on ensuring compliance with regulations set out by Government.

The overall objective is to improve the quality of life of social welfare service-users, and hence, protect and enhance their dignity, safety and welfare. The department has adopted a supportive, developmental and collaborative approach that takes into consideration the views of all stakeholders.

Vision, Mission and Objectives

The Vision of the Department is to improve quality and standards in social welfare services to protect and enhance the dignity, safety and welfare of all service users. This vision is to be achieved through support and regulation. Both service users and service providers will be actively involved in the ongoing process of standard development and improvement.

The Department for Social Welfare Standards will base its regulatory work on the values of transparency, impartiality, fairness, equity and consistency. The process of regulation is intended to be a positive experience, which is carried out through consultation, collaboration and dialogue. It is envisaged that through its operations, the Department will positively influence social welfare practices and the qualitative development of services in the sector.

The mission statement adopted by the Department for Social Welfare Standards is:
“Improving Standards in Social Welfare through Dialogue and Regulation”

Overall Objectives

The overall objectives emanating from this vision and mission are:

• To promote the development of social welfare standards through ongoing consultation and collaboration, in a spirit of dialogue;


• To regulate social welfare services in order to protect the dignity, safety and welfare of all persons using these services;


• To ensure the implementation of established standards, so as to improve Social Welfare service delivery and enhance the quality of life of service-users.