Social Work England Registration Guide 2026: Fees, Renewal & Requirements

What is Social Work England?

Social Work England (SWE) is the specialist regulator for social workers in England. Established in 2019, it replaced the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as the regulatory body for the profession.

SWE's role is to protect the public by setting standards for social workers, maintaining the register, and taking action when those standards aren't met.

Registration Fees 2025-26

Current registration fees:

• Annual registration fee: £120 (2025-26)
• From December 2026: £122 (2026-27)
• New applicant fee: £120
• Return to practice fee: £120

Some employers pay the registration fee as part of their benefits package. Check with your HR department.

Key Dates for 2025-26

• Registration year: 1 December 2025 - 30 November 2026
• Renewal window opens: 1 September 2026
• Renewal deadline: 30 November 2026 (midnight)
• CPD deadline: 30 November 2026

How to Register

New Registrants

If you're newly qualified:

1. Complete an approved social work qualification
2. Create an account on the SWE website
3. Submit your application with required documents
4. Pay the registration fee (£120)
5. Await confirmation (usually within a few weeks)

Documents Required

• Proof of identity (passport, driving licence)
• Proof of qualification (degree certificate or letter from university)
• DBS check (or willingness to undergo one)
• Health declaration
• Character declaration

International Applicants

If you qualified outside the UK:

• Your qualification must be assessed as equivalent to UK standards
• You may need to provide translated documents
• Evidence of English language proficiency may be required
• Additional checks may apply depending on your country of qualification

Annual Renewal

Each year, you must renew your registration between September and November:

To Renew, You Must:

1. Log into your SWE account
2. Confirm your personal details are correct
3. Declare you meet the Professional Standards
4. Confirm you've completed CPD requirements
5. Make any required declarations (health, character, conduct)
6. Pay the annual fee

CPD Requirements for Renewal

• Record at least 2 pieces of CPD
• At least one must include peer reflection
• Submit by 30 November

The Professional Standards

All registered social workers must meet the SWE Professional Standards. These cover:

Standard 1: Promote the rights, strengths and wellbeing of people, families and communities

• Work in partnership with people
• Respect dignity, rights, and diversity
• Challenge discrimination and inequality

Standard 2: Establish and maintain the trust and confidence of people

• Be honest and trustworthy
• Communicate effectively
• Maintain confidentiality appropriately

Standard 3: Be accountable for the quality of your practice

• Work within your competence
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Maintain appropriate records

Standard 4: Maintain your continuing professional development

• Keep your skills and knowledge up to date
• Engage in supervision
• Reflect on your practice

Standard 5: Act safely, respectfully and with professional integrity

• Prioritise safety
• Maintain professional boundaries
• Act with integrity at all times

Standard 6: Promote ethical practice and report concerns

• Report concerns about safety or practice
• Challenge poor practice
• Support colleagues to meet standards

Fitness to Practise

If concerns are raised about a social worker's practice or conduct, SWE investigates through the fitness to practise process.

What Can Lead to Investigation?

• Serious mistakes or poor practice
• Criminal convictions or cautions
• Health issues affecting ability to practise safely
• Misconduct (professional or personal)
• Failure to meet Professional Standards

The Process

1. Concern received: SWE receives a complaint or information
2. Initial assessment: Decides if investigation is needed
3. Investigation: Gathers evidence and information
4. Case examiners: Review the case and decide next steps
5. Hearing: If required, a formal hearing takes place
6. Outcome: Ranges from no action to removal from register

Possible Outcomes

• No further action
• Advice given
• Warnings (published or unpublished)
• Conditions on practice
• Suspension
• Removal from the register

Your SWE Online Account

Your SWE account is where you manage your registration. You can:

• Update personal details (address, email, employer)
• Record and view CPD entries
• Renew your registration
• Download registration certificates
• View correspondence from SWE
• Make declarations

Keeping Details Updated

You must keep your registration details current. Update SWE within 5 working days if you:

• Change your name
• Change your home address
• Change your work email
• Change employer

Lapsed Registration

If your registration lapses (you didn't renew in time):

• You cannot practise as a social worker
• You cannot use the protected title "social worker"
• You'll need to apply to restore your registration
• Restoration requires paying fees and meeting requirements

Return to Practice

If you've been out of practice for more than 2 years, you may need to complete return to practice requirements before registering again.

The Public Register

SWE maintains a public register of all registered social workers. Anyone can search it to check if a social worker is registered. The register shows:

• Name
• Registration number
• Registration status
• Any current conditions or sanctions
• Annotation (if applicable, e.g., approved mental health professional)

Employer Responsibilities

Employers must:

• Check registration before employing someone as a social worker
• Verify registration annually
• Report concerns about fitness to practise to SWE
• Support social workers to meet registration requirements

Tips for Staying Registered

• Set reminders: Add renewal deadline to your calendar
• Record CPD throughout the year: Don't leave it until November
• Keep your email current: So you receive SWE communications
• Check your account: Log in periodically to ensure details are correct
• Keep evidence: Save certificates, attendance records, reflections

Key Takeaways

• Registration with SWE is a legal requirement to practise in England
• Annual fee is £120 (rising to £122 from December 2026)
• Renewal window: September - November each year
• Must complete at least 2 pieces of CPD with peer reflection
• Keep your registration details up to date
• Understand the Professional Standards you must meet
• Don't let your registration lapse - you cannot practise without it