FAQbak

I have not practised as a social worker for over two years. How do I get back on the register?

In order to return to the register, social workers need to meet the following requirements, depending on how long they have been out of practice:

• Under two years: no requirements
• Two to five years: 30 days of updating their skills and knowledge
• Five years or over: 60 days of updating their skills and knowledge.

These requirements also apply to someone who has never been registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and who has never practised (or who has not practised in the last two years) but who holds an approved qualification which is over five years old. The HCPC has more guidance on returning to practice.

What does the programme include?

The programme will provide an overview of the knowledge and skills sets for children's social work and the Professional Capabilities Framework. It will also cover current social work legislation and policy, social work values and ethics, managing risks, and safeguarding. 

Practice educators will be facilitating group action learning sets, where you will work on case scenarios, problem solving and reflective supervision. You will also receive coaching from professional coaches and be asked to complete a personal development plan and critical reflection, as well as online learning.

I have qualified but not practised, can I still apply?

No, unfortunately this programme is for candidates who have practised and gained experience of working in a statutory role for circa 2 years.

I haven’t practised or been registered for over 10 years, should I still apply?

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to provide training which will enable you to re-register with the regulator if you have been out of practise for over 10 years. You can apply if you would like to gain the training and knowledge to forward your career, but please note that you would not be able to go into a statutory social work role.

What is the difference between statutory and non-statutory social work?

In the UK, social workers are distinct from social care workers.

Social care workers provide personal care, support individuals with everyday tasks, and encourage people to engage with their communities. In some cases, they may also support teams to create care plans.

While social care and social work are similar, those who work in social care cannot carry out the statutory duties expected of social workers.

Social workers operate within legal frameworks to protect and support vulnerable people. For example, they can use protection policies to intervene in families to protect children and ensure the rights of vulnerable adults are upheld. Registered social workers work for statutory bodies such as local authorities, NHS Trusts or officially-recognised organisations.

Only those who have completed two years of statutory social work are eligible to apply for the Return to Social Work programme.

I was investigated by the HCPC a few years ago, and was suspended from practice. Will this affect my application?

As we want to ensure that you're fit for practice and you can get back into a working environment as soon as you finish the programme, we can only accept applications from candidates who have registered status with the HCPC. We cannot proceed further with any applications from candidates who have currently got conditions of practice on their registration as this will affect their abilities in the course.

I am still HCPC registered, but have not practised since my last renewal. Can I apply to this programme?

Every time you renew your registration you will be asked to sign a document proving that you have continued to practise your profession or met any return to practice requirements that apply to you.

This means that you will need to have practised at some point in the previous two years of your registration cycle. If you have not practised in the last two years since your renewal, you cannot sign the declaration and you will need to complete an updating period before you can renew your registration.

You can complete this updating period as part of the programme, and are therefore eligible to apply.



I have not worked since I last left social work. Can I still apply?

Yes you can. We recognise that there may be some people who have taken a career break and not worked for all sorts of reasons, and now wish to come back to work. This programme is to help you assess if this is the right step for you and for employers. It will provide you with opportunities to meet the HCPC return to practice requirements.

I have not completed any training since I last practised, can I still apply?



Yes you can, as you will have access to some training and development opportunities as part of this programme. 

Will I have to complete a placement as part of the programme?

As the HCPC suggests ex-social workers complete supervised practise, we aim to include this as part of the programme. We are working with employers across England to secure these opportunities.



What if I can’t attend all the dates in the programme?

In order to re-register with the HCPC you will need to complete the required number of days. If you do not complete them on this programme, you will need to complete them independently. You will need to complete your period of updating by August 2020 in order to qualify for free training.

Will I get a job at the end of the programme?

We cannot guarantee a job at the end of the programme, but you will be offered coaching to prepare you for applying for jobs and re-registering with the HCPC. Please note that you must complete the programme in full to receive this coaching.

Where is the programme taking place?

The training is offered nationally across England and you will be able to do most of the training online at home, with some attendance at workshops in a region near you.

Will I get any help with travel if the programme is far away from home?

We are not able to help with costs for travel.

I don’t have caring responsibilities, can I still apply?

Yes of course, we would love to hear from you.

Want to know more?

If you have any further questions please email [email protected]