General Social Care Council

Post-registration

Information on what to do after you have joined the Social Care register

Over 100,000 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 work, 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 your annual (reduced) fee
• keep your details up-to-date; and
• promptly advise the GSCC if you leave your course.

Renewal and PRTL

• Access more information on renewing your registration and PRTL requirement.

Keeping your details up-to-date

It is your responsibility to 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 - if you have changed your name and are using it at work you must supply supporting evidence i.e. copy of marriage certificate, change of name by deed poll or, civil partnership documentation;
• the name of your employer (please note that if you are working through an employment agency they will be your employer);
• your employers address;
• your work address (if you are working through an employment agency you do not need to inform us of short term assignments);
• your contact details;
• registration with another regulatory organisation;
• your physical or mental health; and
• your criminal or disciplinary record (supporting evidence will be required).

Failure to notify us of changes may be considered as misconduct.

If you have set up your MyGSCC account you can update your details online. IIf you do not have an account but would like to use MyGSCC, you can set up an account by following the simple instructions.

You can also notify us of changes to your details over the telephone or by emailing us at changeofcircumstances@gscc.org.uk or by post to our contact address.

If you are advising us of any change, for security purposes, please provide your social care reference number, name, address (including postcode) and your date of birth in your email.

To restore your name to the register please go to the re-applying for registration page for information.

These documents are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader to view them. If you do not have it you can download it by clicking on the image below.