Engagement process with members in response to SWE's fee increase proposals
On 19th February 2025, Social Work England (SWE) launched a consultation on proposed increases to social work registration fees which we encourage our members to look at closely and engage with.
The regulator is proposing a 33% increase in fees, with the annual renewal cost rising from £90 to £120 from 1 September 2025. Restoration fees for former registrants would increase from £135 to £180, and the scrutiny fee for overseas applicants would rise from £495 to £670. These increases would be followed by annual 1.85% increases until 2028-29.
BASW England values the importance of accountability, ‘public protection’ and the integral role of social workers working with and alongside citizens to improve lives as well as the importance of protecting the professional title of ‘social worker’.
We are committed to representing the voice of our members throughout various stages of the consultation process.
Initial feedback from our members has raised the following issues:
- What is the current and proposed business model for Social Work England based on a 33% rise in registrant fees?
- Excessive percentage increase: A 33% rise is significant, especially when compared to inflation and social workers' stagnant salaries.
- Lack of pre-engagement: There was no meaningful consultation with registrants, the sector, or trade unions pre the consultation announcement.
- Financial burden on social workers: The proposed increase does not account for the financial pressures many practitioners already face.
- Fitness to Practice (FtP) concerns: Social workers are dissatisfied with FtP processes and our concerns are explicitly expressed in a previous joint statement from BASW, Social Workers Union and UNISON. Many members also want to know how these fees will lead to improvements in the process delays.
- Transparency: More clarity is needed about SWE’s staffing levels and structure, full running costs, and overall financial position.
- Recognition of social workers as taxpayers: Many social workers feel they are being asked to contribute twice, both through fees and general taxation.
A lack of parity with fees across the rest of the UK has also been cited as a concern as the table sets out below:
| UK Nation | Regulatory Body | Registration Fee | Notes |
| England | Social Work England | £90 per year | Proposed increased to £120 per year from 1 September 2025. |
| Scotland | Scottish Social Services Council | £80 per year | Proposed increase to £88 per year in 2025-26, with incremental increases to £120 by 2029-30 |
| Wales | Social Care Wales | £80 per year | No current proposals for fee changes |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Social Care Council | £65 per year | No current proposals for fee changes |
How can you take action?
With considerable strength of feeling already emerging among the workforce, we understand that many registrants will also choose to sign online petitions around this issue as well as engage with their local MPs to highlight these issues.
BASW England in collaboration with BASW Advice and Representation Service and The Social Workers Union will be consulting with members to ensure their views are fully represented in our response to SWE. We recognise there may be a diversity of views on this matter and encourage ALL members to participate in the consultation process before the 13 May 2025 deadline.
To help inform our collective response please consider doing the following:
Register for one of our online focus group meetings:
Meeting 1: March 25th at 1200 – 1300 https://basw.co.uk/events/social-work-england-fee-increase-have-your-say-basw-england-event
Meeting 2: April 17th at 1200 – 1300 https://basw.co.uk/events/social-work-england-fee-increase-have-your-say-basw-england-event
Engage with our BASW England survey of members to help inform our organisational response to the consultation which will be launching soon.
Further action social workers can take on this matter:
- Contact their local MP to highlight the financial impact of these proposals,
- Raise concerns with the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), which oversees regulatory bodies.
Engage with employers to clarify their position on these proposals and whether they can pay or contribute to current and future registration fees. Some local authorities and organisations already provide this support, but these changes may affect their ability to continue doing so.
Reach out to your trade union and share your thoughts on these proposals.
We will continue to advocate for a fair and sustainable approach to regulation that ensures value for money for social workers. If fees are to increase, we expect SWE to demonstrate how they will improve efficiency, accountability, and support for registrants.
For more information, visit Social Work England's website here.
