The annual registration renewal period is now open for social workers in England

At the end of the 2023 registration renewal period 101,052 (97.8%) social workers renewed and were retained on the register.

Social workers who want to continue practising in England must now complete their annual registration renewal application to remain on the social work register. Social Work England has issued a reminder to around 104,000 social workers to apply now rather than leave it to the last minute.   

To apply to renew their registration, social workers must complete the following by 11:59pm on Saturday 30 November 2024:  

• submit a registration renewal form 
• pay the registration fee 
• record a minimum of 2 different pieces of continuing professional development (CPD). A peer reflection must be included with at least one of these pieces of CPD.  

It is a legal requirement that all social workers apply to renew their registration on an annual basis if they wish to continue practising and use the protected title of ‘social worker’. Social workers who do not renew their registration before 30 November 2024 will be removed from the register. If they do not apply to renew, they will be required to apply to restore their registration if they want to continue to practise. This costs £135. 

Being registered with Social Work England assures the public that all social workers in England meet the professional standards and are keeping their skills and knowledge up to date.

Rachel McAssey, assistant director of regulation at Social Work England, said, 

“Last year, we were delighted that 101,052 (97.8%) social workers renewed and were retained on the register. It’s evident social workers continue to understand the process and what is required in order to maintain their registration.

To receive updates from us about your registration and renewal, please log in to your online account and check that your email address and mobile phone numbers are up to date. Please carefully check all emails you receive from Social Work England. These will alert you to any outstanding actions you need to complete in order to successfully apply to renew.

If there has been a change in your ability to practise safely and effectively, you must tell us about it as soon as possible. You will need to make a self-referral. If you’re not sure whether you need to tell us about a change of circumstances which might affect your ability to practise safely and effectively, please contact us.

We encourage all social workers to complete their application to renew in plenty of time, to avoid the last-minute rush and allow sufficient time for focus and reflection.”

Things to note 

Social workers are advised to make sure the register accurately reflects their status for 2024 to 2025.

• Social workers should make a self-referral if there are any changes to their fitness to practise. 
• People who are not currently working due to extended absence like sick leave or parental leave etc, but who wish to stay on the register, should complete the renewal process.
• Those who join the register from September  2024 to November 2024 do not need to apply to renew or record CPD, having just sent us up to date information. However, they will need to pay their registration fee for the 2024 to 2025 registration year. 
• If a social worker wants to leave the register they should apply for voluntary removal. 
• Anyone who does not apply to renew by 30 November 2024 will be removed from the register, this includes failing to submit an application, failing to pay the fees or not meeting the CPD requirements. There is no extension to this deadline. 
• If they wish to continue practising as a social worker, they will have to apply to be restored to the register and pay a £135 restoration fee. They will be unable to work as a social worker until their registration has been restored.

Support 

The full information about how to apply to renew your registration can be found on our website at https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/registration/apply-to-renew/  

Our regional engagement leads are running sessions about peer reflection and how to record CPD.

Please use our usual contact details for any enquiries relating to registration renewal and CPD.