Fitness to practise referrals data
Data relating to our fitness to practise referrals and outcomes
Quarterly data relating to the period 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026
All referrals received
Concerns are raised with us about a social worker's fitness to practise. These can be raised by anyone. A referral is opened after we identified a social worker related to a concern. More information on our fitness to practise process can be found in our fitness to practise guidance.
For the period of 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026
843 fitness to practise referrals opened
799 concerns received
The source of referrals received
We do not hold information on the source of all referrals received in the quarter. As this information is identified it will be added to the case information. This means numbers may change over time.
Known sources of referrals during the 3-month period:
For the period 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026:
33 referrals were opened from employers
355 referrals were opened from members of the public
29 referrals were opened from other sources
426 referrals were opened from unknown sources
The top 3 types of referrals opened
The themes listed below are overarching categories that include different reasons for making a fitness to practise referral. For further details please see the section on 'the top themes for the different sources of referral'.
Some referrals may include more than one type of concern.
We do not hold information on the type of concerns for all referrals received during the quarter.
As this information is identified it will be added to the case information. This means numbers may change over time. We have not included the unknown concern types in the data below.
Top 3 known themes for referrals opened during the 3-month period:
For the period of 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026:
79 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
61 referrals opened regarding safeguarding concerns
60 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
The top 3 themes for different sources of referral
For the period 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
16 referrals opened regarding professional practise issues
10 referrals opened regarding safeguarding concerns
6 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
Source of referral: Member of the public
60 referrals opened regarding safeguarding concerns
56 referrals opened regarding issue with decision social worker made or a conclusion
45 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
Source of referral: Other
8 referrals opened regarding criminal proceedings/involvement
4 referrals opened regarding private matter - family or neighbour disputes
4 referrals opened regarding safeguarding concerns
Triage outcomes for the different sources of referral
The triage stage of the fitness to practise process involves an initial assessment of the information received to decide if it is necessary to open an investigation. The triage outcomes data is based on the decisions that have been made in the quarter, not on the referrals that have been received in the quarter. We have only included outcomes in the below figures if we hold data on the source of referral.
For the period of 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
44% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
56% of referrals progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Member of the public
97% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
3% of referrals progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Other
77% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
23% of referrals progressed to investigation
Case examiner outcomes for the different sources of referral
Stage 3 of the fitness to practise process, which follows triage and investigation stages, is where case examiners look at all available evidence and decide whether there is a realistic prospect that the fitness to practise of a social worker will be found to be impaired at a final hearing.
The case examiner outcomes data is based on the decisions that have been made in the quarter, not on the referrals that have been received in the quarter. This data will not align with the registration and fitness to practise data we also publish. This is because we have only included outcomes in the below figures if we hold data on the source of referral.
Note: Due to rounding, not all percentages add to 100%.
For the period of 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
36% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
44% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
20% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Member of the public
94% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
6% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
0% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Other
19% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
63% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
19% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Hearing outcomes for the different sources of referral
The final stage of the fitness to practise process is the hearings stage.
The hearing outcomes data is based on the decisions that have been made in the quarter, not on the referrals that have been received in the quarter. This data will not align with the registration and fitness to practise data we also publish. This is because we have only included outcomes in the below figures if we hold data on the source of referral.
Hearing outcomes during the 3-month period for referrals
For the period 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
4 no impairment, no further action
0 no impairment, advice
0 no impairment, warning order
0 impaired, no further action
0 impaired, advice
1 impaired, warning order
4 impaired, conditions of practice order
1 impaired, suspension order
3 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: Member of the public
3 no impairment, no further action
0 no impairment, advice
0 no impairment, warning order
0 impaired, no further action
0 impaired, advice
0 impaired, warning order
0 impaired, conditions of practice order
0 impaired, suspension order
0 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: other sources
2 impairment, no further action
0 no impairment, advice
0 no impairment, warning order
0 impaired, no further action
0 impaired, advice
2 impaired, warning order
0 impaired, conditions of practice order
1 impaired, suspension order
1 impaired, removal order
Types of referral categories
The types of referral listed on this page are overarching categories that include different reasons for making a fitness to practise referral. We use these categories to help us understand the varying reasons for fitness to practise referrals being received.
Many of the referral type categories have several sub-categories, examples of which are included in the below list. For the purpose of the data on this page, we have focused on the overarching categories and not the subcategories.
Bias and/or prejudicial treatment
Breach of professional boundaries
Inappropriate relationships/ over-familiarisation with service user
Inappropriately accessing records
Undeclared conflict of interest
Consent
Criminal proceedings /involvement
Caution, charge or conviction
No further action
Other resolution (such as community resolution)
Under investigation
Dishonesty
Dishonest conduct
Falsification of records
Lied within assessments
Domestic abuse
Employment issues
GDPR/data protection
Health
Mental or physical health issues
Substance abuse
Issue with decision social worker made or a conclusion in a report
Professional practice issues
Content/quality of assessments
Delay of cases
Failing to follow statutory requirements or management instruction
Issue with direct contact, for example, home visits
Poor management oversight, record keeping or risk management
Professional judgement/decision making
Poor or inappropriate communication
Minor communication issues
Offensive or derogatory language/views/conduct
Repeated lack of reasonable engagement
Threatening/aggressive
Private matter - family or neighbour disputes
Safeguarding concerns
Poor risk management, harm reduction, response to concerns being raised
Social workers' family are subject of social service intervention
Sexual misconduct
In private life
Within their position as social worker
Data archive
Quarterly reports
All referrals received
For the period of 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026:
1,044 fitness to practise referrals opened during the 3-month period
735 concerns received
The source of referrals received
For the period of 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026:
54 referrals were received from employers
244 referrals were received from members of the public
31 referrals were received from other sources
715 referrals were received from unknown sources
The top 3 types of concern for the referrals opened
For the period of 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026:
101 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
82 referrals opened received regarding dishonesty
72 referrals opened received regarding safeguarding concerns
The top 3 themes for difference sources of referral
For the period of 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
23 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
12 referrals opened regarding safeguarding concerns
11 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
Source of referral: Member of the public
65 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
60 referrals opened regarding issue with social worker's place of work or service
56 referrals opened regarding safeguarding concerns
56 referrals opened regarding poor or inappropriate communication
Source of referral: Other
14 referrals opened regarding criminal proceedings/involvement
5 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
3 referrals opened regarding health
3 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
8 referrals opened regarding employment issues
3 referrals opened regarding breach of professional boundaries
Triage outcomes for the different sources of referral
For the period of 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
51% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
49% of referrals progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Member of the public
96% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
4% of referrals progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Other
73% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
27% of referrals progressed to investigation
Case examiner outcomes for the different sources of referral
For the period of 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
37% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
28% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
35% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Member of the public
50% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
0% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
50% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Other
21% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
57% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
21% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Hearing outcomes for referrals from employers and members of the public
For the period of 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026:
Source of referral: Employer
no impairment, no further action: 1
no impairment, advice: 1
impaired, suspension order: 1
impaired, removal order: 5
Source of referral: Member of the public
no impairment, no further action: 1
Source of referral: Other sources
no impairment, no further action: 2
impaired, warning order: 1
impaired, removal order: 3
Data archive
Annual reports
All referrals received
For the annual period of 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026:
2,329 fitness to practise referrals opened
2,670 concerns received
The source of referrals opened
174 referrals were opened from employers
877 referrals were opened from members of the public
171 referrals were opened from other sources
1,107 referrals were opened from unknown sources
The top 3 themes of referrals opened
525 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
481 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
342 referrals opened regarding poor or inappropriate communication
The top 3 types of themes for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
75 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
43 referrals opened regarding safeguarding concerns
41 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
Source of referral: Member of the public
388 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
377 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
274 referrals opened regarding poor or inappropriate communication
Source of referral: Other
60 referrals opened regarding criminal proceedings/involvement
33 referrals opened regarding professional practice issues
29 referrals opened regarding dishonesty
Triage outcomes for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
42% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
58% of referrals progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Member of the public
97% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
3% of referrals progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Other
65% of referrals were closed at the triage stage
35% of referrals progressed to investigation
Case examiner outcomes for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
32% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
26% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
41% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Member of the public
69% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
7% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
24% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Other
28% of referrals were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
48% of referrals resulted in accepted disposal
24% of referrals were referred to the hearing stage
Hearing outcomes for referrals from employers and members of the public
Source of referral: Employer
7 no impairment, no further action
1 no impairment, advice
1 no impairment, warning order
0 impaired, no further action
0 impaired, advice
2 impaired, warning order
2 impaired, conditions of practise order
11 impaired, suspension order
15 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: Member of the public
5 impairment, no further action
0 no impairment, advice
0 no impairment, warning order
0 impaired, no further action
0 impaired, advice
0 impaired, warning order
0 impaired, conditions of practise order
1 impaired, suspension order
3 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: other sources
8 impairment, no further action
0 no impairment, advice
1 no impairment, warning order
0 impaired, no further action
1 impaired, advice
1 impaired, warning order
0 impaired, conditions of practise order
3 impaired, suspension order
6 impaired, removal order
All referrals received
For the annual period of 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025:
- 1,854 fitness to practise referrals received
The source of referrals received
- 228 referrals were received from employers
- 730 referrals were received from members of the public
- 180 referrals were received from other sources
- 716 referrals were received from unknown sources
The top 3 types of concern for the referrals received
- 473 concerns were received regarding professional practice issues
- 447 concerns were received regarding dishonesty
- 274 concerns were received regarding poor or inappropriate communication
The top 3 types of concern received for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
- 115 concerns were received regarding professional practice issues
- 80 concerns were received regarding dishonesty
- 54 concerns were received regarding safeguarding concerns
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 262 concerns were received regarding professional practice issues
- 306 concerns were received regarding dishonesty
- 218 concerns were received regarding poor or inappropriate communication
Source of referral: Other
- 72 concerns were received regarding criminal proceedings/involvement
- 32 concerns were received regardingdishonesty
- 40 concerns were received regarding safeguarding concerns
Triage outcomes for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
- 34% of concerns were closed at the triage stage
- 66% of concerns progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 96% of concerns were closed at the triage stage
- 4% of concerns progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Other
- 54% of concerns were closed at the triage stage
- 46% of concerns progressed to investigation
Case examiner outcomes for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
- 39% of concerns were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
- 28% of concerns resulted in accepted disposal
- 34% of concerns were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 81% of concerns were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
- 7% of concerns resulted in accepted disposal
- 12% of concerns were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Other
- 28% of concerns were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
- 44% of concerns resulted in accepted disposal
- 28% of concerns were referred to the hearing stage
Hearing outcomes for referrals from employers and members of the public
Source of referral: Employer
- 4 no impairment, no further action
- 0 no impairment, advice
- 3 no impairment, warning order
- 0 impaired, no further action
- 0 impaired, advice
- 4 impaired, warning order
- 2 impaired, conditions of practise order
- 9 impaired, suspension order
- 14 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 0 impairment, no further action
- 0 no impairment, advice
- 0 no impairment, warning order
- 0 impaired, no further action
- 1 impaired, advice
- 0 impaired, warning order
- 1 impaired, conditions of practise order
- 0 impaired, suspension order
- 3 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: other sources
- 4 impairment, no further action
- 0 no impairment, advice
- 2 no impairment, warning order
- 0 impaired, no further action
- 0 impaired, advice
- 2 impaired, warning order
- 1 impaired, conditions of practise order
- 2 impaired, suspension order
- 6 impaired, removal order
All referrals received
For the annual period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024:
- 1,617 fitness to practise referrals received
The source of referrals received
- 337 referrals were received from employers
- 641 referrals were received from members of the public
- 194 referrals were received from other sources
- 445 referrals were received from unknown sources
The top 3 types of concern for the referrals received
- 505 concerns were received regarding professional practice issues
- 392 concerns were received regarding dishonesty
- 273 concerns were received regarding safeguarding concerns
The top 3 types of concern received for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
- 214 concerns were received regarding professional practice issues
- 112 concerns were received regarding dishonesty
- 68 concerns were received regarding safeguarding concerns
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 239 concerns were received regarding professional practice issues
- 236 concerns were received regarding dishonesty
- 210 concerns were received regarding poor or inappropriate communication
Source of referral: Other
- 81 concerns were received regarding criminal proceedings/involvement
- 35 concerns were received regarding professional practice issues
- 35 concerns were received regarding safeguarding concerns
Triage outcomes for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
- 21% of concerns were closed at the triage stage
- 79% of concerns progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 93% of concerns were closed at the triage stage
- 7% of concerns progressed to investigation
Source of referral: Other
- 52% of concerns were closed at the triage stage
- 48% of concerns progressed to investigation
Case examiner outcomes for the different sources of referral
Source of referral: Employer
- 33% of concerns were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
- 27% of concerns resulted in accepted disposal
- 40% of concerns were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 84% of concerns were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
- 5% of concerns resulted in accepted disposal
- 11% of concerns were referred to the hearing stage
Source of referral: Other
- 45% of concerns were closed at the case examiner stage of the fitness to practise process
- 30% of concerns resulted in accepted disposal
- 26% of concerns were referred to the hearing stage
Hearing outcomes for referrals from employers and members of the public
Source of referral: Employer
- 12 no impairment, no further action
- 0 no impairment, advice
- 3 no impairment, warning order
- 1 impaired, no further action
- 0 impaired, advice
- 6 impaired, warning order
- 3 impaired, conditions of practise order
- 20 impaired, suspension order
- 11 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: Member of the public
- 1 impairment, no further action
- 0 no impairment, advice
- 0 no impairment, warning order
- 0 impaired, no further action
- 0 impaired, advice
- 0 impaired, warning order
- 0 impaired, conditions of practise order
- 3 impaired, suspension order
- 1 impaired, removal order
Source of referral: other sources
- 6 impairment, no further action
- 0 no impairment, advice
- 2 no impairment, warning order
- 0 impaired, no further action
- 0 impaired, advice
- 2 impaired, warning order
- 0 impaired, conditions of practise order
- 4 impaired, suspension order
- 3 impaired, removal order