The Children's Secretary has suggested that a royal college of social work be established in England and Wales.

According to the BBC news site, a new report is expected to recommend that social work jobs in the UK are supported by a new institution similar to the Royal College of Nursing. This institution would provide training, advocacy and national representation for social workers and others in social care jobs.

Speaking to the Guardian, Ed Balls said that he had already spoken with the Justice Secretary about upgrading the status of the proposed national college. He said the government would support any such institution so that it could become a Royal College as soon as possible.

A Royal College would not only be able to set standards for training and qualifications throughout the country, it would be able to legally represent its members. A Royal Charter would give the body the right to sue or be sued independently of its members, allowing it to assist in legalrepresentation for social workers. It would also give it the ability to confer post-nominal titles such as Fellowships to recognise senior or exemplary members.

Ed Balls said: "I think there has been a culture of not enough voice, not enough representation and not enough of the social work profession itself shaping the future, saying 'these should be our professional standards, this is how we should do it and this is how we should reform".

He was critical of how most people enter their profession, saying that they are placed "in situations without proper support and probation" as soon as they become a qualified social worker.