Social Work England to increase fees despite 96% disapproval

Social Work England says it will increase fees this year, despite opposition to its proposals.

From September 1, 2025, social workers renewing their registration will pay a £120 annual fee—up from the current £90. Initial registration, restoration, and scrutiny fees will also rise, with all fees increasing annually by 1.85%, reaching £127 by 2029.

Initial registration, restoration and scrutiny fees will also increase. Professionals looking to restore their registration will pay £180 this year (up from £135), rising to £190 in 2029. Meanwhile scrutiny fees - a non-refundable fee that is part of the application process for certain applicants, particularly those applying from overseas – will rise to £670 this year (up from £495) rising to £708 in 2029.

The announcement follows a 12-week consultation on the proposals which saw nearly 8,000 stakeholders, both individuals and organisations in the social work sector, mostly disagreeing with the proposals.

Publishing the responses to its consultation, Social Work England said respondents ‘generally disagreed with the proposals’, saying ‘most respondent’s scores were based on whether they considered the initial increases to be reasonable, rather than explicitly considering the public spending implications.’

Despite this, 96% said they disagreed or strongly disagreed to the increase in the renewal fee; while 90% said they disagreed or strongly disagreed with an increase to the initial registration fee. Reasons, the regulator said, ranged from feeling the proposed increase was too high, to feeling that social workers are already struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis, or that this will negatively impact a profession that is already under a lot of pressure.

Some respondents said the rises could particularly impact recruitment and retention, with fears that some local authorities may cease reimbursing fees, or that social workers could avoid working for some employers in favour of those who reimburse their fee.

Many social workers have written on social media criticising the consultation which saw such strong disapproval, but still advanced.

“Social Work England undertake a consultation. 96% of respondents disagree with the proposal. Response is that they ‘remain committed’ to the change they first proposed,” Dominic Tumelty, Head of Service, wrote.

Joe Hanley, a social work lecturer, said: “Remind me what was the purpose of the consultation, and the 8,000 respondents who took the time, 96% of whom were against the increase??”

Social Work England said that while it is required by the Children and Social Work Act 2017 (Section 50(3)(a)) to consult when it intends to change its fees, it is “committed to making sure our work is informed by everyone who has an interest in social work.”

“We believe in the power of collaboration and co-production, which is why we consult on proposals that may impact those who use social work services, the social work profession, and the wider social work sector,” the regulator wrote in a Q&A on its website.

It said the rise was necessary as fees have remained static for the last 10 years, while the contribution through grant-in-aid from the government has increased every year since its establishment. The regulator has also struggled recently with long delays to Fitness to Practice hearings, with some cases waiting ‘multiple years’ for a final hearing.
Read more: https://www.socialworktoday.co.uk/News/organisations-call-on-social-work-england-to-resolve-fitness-to-practice-delays

Colum Conway, Chief Executive of Social Work England, acknowledged the profession’s concerns about affordability but emphasized the need to future-proof the regulator’s work.

“Over the past few months we have taken time to consider all the feedback we received through the public consultation.

“We understand many people will not agree with the decision to increase our fees, but we feel this necessary to help us continue to meet our overarching objective of protecting the public.

“This will ensure we can deliver all of our regulatory objectives and goals and protect the public. This includes helping us to further improve case progression and timeliness in the fitness to practise process.”