Four in ten social workers had completed the annual registration renewal process two weeks out from the deadline, the regulator has revealed.
Social Work England said 43,609 of the 105,657 practitioners who were registered before the renewal process started on 1 September had completed the three required steps as of 14 November 2025. These are to:
- Pay the £120 renewal fee (this is generally paid in two equal instalments, in October and April).
- Complete the renewal application form.
- Submit two pieces of continuing professional development, at least one of which must have been reflected upon with a peer.
It means that, as in previous renewal cycles, most practitioners will be completing the process in the two weeks before the 30 November deadline.
Last year, 98% of registrants renewed by the deadline.
Anyone who does not meet the deadline will not be able to practise as a social worker and, should they want to return to practice, they will need to pay the restoration fee, which has increased to £180 this year, up from £135 previously.
Use CC Inform to help you meet CPD requirements
Community Care Inform subscribers can use their CPD log to help meet Social Work England's registration renewal requirements.The log provides a space for you to store what each CPD activity was, what you learnt, the positive impact it has had or will have on your practice, and which parts of the CPD standard (see box at the bottom of this page) you feel were met, in line with Social Work England's requirements.
There’s an optional question to respond to if you have reflected on the CPD with a peer.
Find out more by reading our CPD guides on the Inform Children or Inform Adults sites.
