Over 90,000 social workers and social work students are registered with the General Social Care Council (GSCC). The title ‘social worker’ has been protected in law in England since 1 April 2005. All social workers should be registered to comply with the law, making it a criminal offence to use the title or operate as a social worker, with intent to deceive, if they are not registered.
As part of the GSCC's continuing commitment to maintaining high standards in social care, registered social workers and social work students are required to maintain their registration. The requirements for qualified social workers and social work students are different, as summarised below.
Qualified social workers are required to:
- renew their registration every three years;
- complete post-registration training and learning (PRTL);
- promptly advise the GSCC of any change of circumstance; and
- pay their annual registration fee.
Social work students are required to:
- pay their annual (reduced) fee; and
- promptly advise the GSCC of any change of circumstance.
Access more information on renewing your registration and PRTL requirement.
Paying your registration fee
If you are renewing your registration and you have previously paid your fees by direct debit, you will need to complete a new instruction to your bank to enable fees to be paid during your new three year period of registration.
Please print and complete the following instruction to your bank or building society, making sure you have signed, dated and written your SCR (7 digit reference) number in the box at the top of the form. We must have this to confirm your record with us. Then send the instruction to the address below.
Please send to:
General Social Care Council
Myson House
Railway Terrace
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 3HT
Change of circumstance
It is important that you tell us as quickly as possible about any change of circumstance, so our records are up to date. This includes changes to any of the following:
- your name (supporting evidence will be required);
- your employer;
- your employers address;
- your contact details;
- registration with another regulatory organisation;
- your physical or mental health; and
- your criminal or disciplinary record (supporting evidence will be required).
Please forward any change to your information by emailing us at changeofcircumstances@gscc.org.uk or by post to the address above. If you are advising us of any change, for security purposes, please provide your name, address (including postcode) and your date of birth in your email.
For information about re-applying to join the Social Care Register please go to the reapplying page.