First the short answer
Two related codes are not yet exchangeable codes
- The current versions are the Governance Code Social Work 2025 and the Governance Code Healthcare 2022.
- Both codes focus on good governance, oversight, social responsibility, dialogue and accountability.
- Social Work 2025 explicitly identifies digital transformation, cybersecurity and responsible data usage as current themes.
- Care 2022 elaborates the responsibility for good care, formal risk management and the interaction between the board and the supervisory board.
- In the case of sector overlap, one explicit and established governance image helps to avoid conflicting expectations and double agreements.
A first substantive comparison
Where are some important differences?
The codes are aligned where possible. That makes the overlap recognizable, but does not eliminate the differences. The targeted comparison includes a more comprehensive analysis of accountability, demonstrability, digital future, information security, continuity, data and AI, suppliers and management information. The following are four differences which are relevant for an initial board-level assessment.
Sector and social mission
The Governance Code Care starts from good care and the client's central position. The Governance Code Social Work is in line with the societal mission, professional practice and broad stakeholders of social work organisations.
Establishment and applicability
Social Work 2025 contains three models for different forms of governance and a practical roadmap. Care 2022 develops seven principles within the formal relationships between governance, oversight, professionals, clients and other stakeholders.
Digital themes
Social Work 2025 explicitly mentions digital transformation, cybersecurity and responsible data use as current themes. In Healthcare 2022, digital risks are mainly affected through board-level responsibility, risk management, information provision and security.
Application context
Memberships, funding conditions, contracts, articles of association and the organisation's actual activities may determine which code is relevant as the primary framework or supplementary guidance. Looking only at the organisation's name is therefore insufficient.
For care, well-being and social care and community services
Let governance and oversight make the choice aware
An organisation can provide care, care-related work and carry out activities in the social care and community services. It is precisely then that it is not self-evident which governance code best fits as a primary framework. A conscious choice prevents different parts of the organisation from sending or reporting each from another reference framework.
Therefore, identify the code used primarily, why it fits the social mission and organisation, which parts of another code are additional valuable and how governance and oversight periodically assess the application.
Choose the framework that best helps governance and oversight to take responsibility, explain choices and monitor societal value.
Digital governance
Digital risks are now part of normal governance and oversight
Regardless of the code chosen, governance and oversight need sufficient insight into information security, continuity, supplier dependencies, privacy, data and AI. This does not require technical detail, but it requires clear owners, reliable management information, explicit risk appetite and decisions that can be traced back later.
Full comparison
Request the targeted comparison
Receive the comparison of the latest publicly available Governance Code Social Work 2025 and Governance Code Healthcare 2022, focusing on board-level accountability, demonstrability, digital future, information security, continuity, data and AI, suppliers and management information.
The comparison is intended for directors, supervisors, management and board-level secretaries who wish to make a well-founded framework choice.
After your request we will send the comparison to the email address given.
From frame choice to demonstrable application
A comparison shows the framework; A GAP analysis shows the practice
The comparison helps you to understand the similarities, differences and appropriate framework choice. With the Governance GAP analysis We then investigate how this is done within your own organisation: What evidence is available, who takes responsibility and which improvements take priority?
Finding, evidence, risk and recommendation, translated into priority and an executable roadmap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers on both governance codes
What is the current Governance Code Social Work?
The current version is the Governance Code Social Work 2025. This review replaces the 2016 version and explicitly focuses on craftsmanship, digital transformation, cybersecurity, responsible data use and sustainability.
What is the current Governance Code Care?
The current version available to the public is the Governance Code Zorg 2022. This code is built around seven principles for good governance and oversight in healthcare organisations.
Is there a Governance Code Care 2025 or 2026?
At present, Kynexis bases the comparison on the officially published Health Governance Code 2022. Searches with 2025 or 2026 do not change which version is officially available.
What governance code applies to a health-related or social work organisation?
This depends on sector, memberships, statutes, contractual agreements, financing, activities and the way the organisation is organised. In case of overlap, it is wise that governance and oversight explicitly underpin and capture the choice.
Are the Governance Code Health and Social Work the same?
No. The codes have clear overlaps in social responsibility, good governance, oversight, dialogue and accountability, but also differ in sector context, scope, board-level models and the explicit development of current digital themes.
What is the difference between the equation and a Governance GAP analysis?
The comparison helps to understand the codes side by side and to make a conscious choice of framework. A Governance GAP analysis then investigates what is demonstrably organised within its own organisation, what evidence is available, where gaps are and what deserves priority.
Sources
Based on the officially available codes
Last checked content: September 18, 2026.
