Three-quarters of social workers still to renew registration with one month to go

Three-quarters of social workers are yet to renew their registration, with one month to go until the deadline.

As of this morning (1 November), 23% of eligible practitioners (22,582) had completed the process. This involves submitting the renewal application, paying the £90 fee and providing two pieces of continuing professional development, one of which must have been reflected upon with a peer.

At the same period last year, half of eligible registrants had renewed, though then the CPD requirement was only to submit piece, with no need to provide a peer reflection. Overall, 44% of registrants have engaged with the CPD process to some degree this year, said the regulator.

The remaining approximately 75,000 social workers must complete the renewal process by 11.59pm on 30 November. Unlike the two previous years, there will be no 21-day grace period for those who have paid their fee and completed their application but have not submitted any CPD. This means those who fail to do so will be removed from the register.

Social workers who joined the register after 1 September still need to renew and pay the annual £90 fee but do not need to complete the application form or meet CPD requirements*. Those who have applied for voluntary removal from the register do not need to renew.

Full guidance on renewing registration is available on the Social Work England website.

*The story has been amended to make clear that social workers who joined the register after 1 September this year still need to renew and pay the £90 fee, but do not need to fulfil the other requirements.