Voluntary removal

What is voluntary removal?

If a social worker is subject to fitness to practise proceedings, they may ask us to remove them from the register. We refer to this as fitness to practise voluntary removal.

If we agree to this request, we will conclude the fitness to practise proceedings. This means (one of the following):

• there will be no need for consideration by the case examiners and/or adjudicators (if the case has not yet reached these stages of the process)
• there will be no further adjudication (if the case has reached these stages of the process)

Is voluntary removal right for you?

We recognise that, on some occasions, a social worker who is undergoing fitness to practise proceedings may wish to leave the register. For example, if the social worker has a serious health condition that prevents them from practising (and they do not expect their condition to improve).

Usually, voluntary removal is only suitable for social workers who (both of the following):

• have stopped practising or intend to stop practising immediately
• have no intention to return to social work practice in the future

Social workers should not seek voluntary removal if there is any chance that they may wish to practise as a social worker in England in the future. Whilst they can apply for restoration to the register after being voluntarily removed, we will take the voluntary removal into account when we consider their application.

We advise social workers who are considering voluntary removal to seek advice from their legal representative (or any representative body or union of which they are a member).

Voluntary removal decisions

In deciding whether to grant voluntary removal we will carefully balance (both of the following):

• the social worker’s reasons for applying for voluntary removal
• whether there is public interest in the fitness to practise process continuing to its conclusion

If there is no public interest, we are likely to grant voluntary removal. This will end the fitness to practise process.

If we don’t agree to voluntary removal, then the fitness to practise process will continue as normal.

Social workers can apply for voluntary removal more than once during the fitness to practise process. However, we will usually reject these applications. This is unless there is new information available since the previous application.

How to apply for voluntary removal

A social worker can apply for voluntary removal at any time during the fitness to practise process.

To apply, complete the voluntary removal application form.

You will need to use a PDF reader to complete the form. If you are unable to complete the form, please contact us on enquiries@socialworkengland.org.uk.

Detailed guidance

Before applying, we recommend social workers read our detailed guidance on voluntary removal.