We want being registered with us to be simple to do and easy to understand. And to make sure that people know about the benefits and value of being registered and the standards, skills and qualifications needed to deliver high quality care.
We’ve listened to your feedback and have made the changes.
If you’re registered with us or if you are an employer you need to know about the changes and how they will affect you.
What’s changed?
Registration
We’ve changed:
- the Register, there are now only four parts
- the timescales new workers have to apply for, and gain, registration
- the qualifications we accept
- the timescales for gaining qualifications
- the way you maintain your registration, you must now complete an annual declaration, you no longer need to renew your registration
- MySSSC – you can make more changes to your registration in your account which makes managing your registration much easier
- return to practice requirements for social workers who have been off the Register for more than two years.
Most changes have happened automatically, you don’t need to do anything. We’ll let you know if you need to do something.
Read more about our changes to registration.
Continuous professional learning (CPL) requirements
The new CPL process means that you will confirm you’ve completed your CPL every year as part of your annual declaration. You no longer need to complete a set number of hours of learning.
Using the new website it's easy to find learning to suit your needs. Depending on your role and stage of your career there are eight career pathways which link to your role.
Social work has an additional pathway for newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) which covers the supported first year in practice. The return to practice pathway for social work will be linked to the registration application process.
Read more and begin your CPL journey.
SSSC Codes of Practice
We published the revised Codes on 1 May 2024 and they came into effect immediately. They replace all previous versions.
We’ve changed the Codes to:
- update the language to be more positive and empowering
- reflect developments in current practice
- strengthen rights and relationships
- make clearer links with the Health and Social Care Standards language of kindness and compassion
- strengthen codes on professional boundaries and relationships.
The Codes are available on our website where you can also download a copy in various formats.
Registration changes: information sessions for registrants and employers
Join us at one of our free online information sessions to find out more about what this means for you as a registrant or an employer.
Have you registered for one of these events but can no longer attend? Please remember to cancel your place to give someone else the opportunity to attend.