The GSCC has taken steps to make sure all social workers with complete applications are registered or are through stage one of the registration process before 31 March 2005. This will ensure they can continue working without any disruption when protection of title comes into force on 1 April 2005.

Key facts:
· Over 44,000 social workers applied for registration by the 1 December cut-off;
· half of these social workers applied in the last two weeks before the deadline;
· a further 14,000 social workers have applied since then; and applications are still arriving every day
· the target is for every applicant to reach stage one of the registration process by 31 March at the latest;
· 13,000 social workers have been fully registered to date.

Over a quarter of social workers who applied by the deadline have already been registered. Most straightforward applications that came in before 1 December should be registered before the new law comes in. However, the GSCC is keen to reassure social workers who have applied, but may be worried about whether their application will be fully processed before 1 April.

Lynne Berry, Chief Executive, said:

“We’re delighted to see people’s commitment to registration, but the late rush means it will take longer to process all the applications we have received than we would like.

“As long as you have applied for registration, there is no need for concern. You should receive a letter confirming your intention to register by early March, well before protection of title is due to come into force. Please bear with us while we are working flat out to get you through the registration process as quickly as possible.”