Social Work England (SWE) is the specialist statutory regulator for social workers in England only. It took over from the HCPC on 2 December 2019, inheriting around 100,000 registrants, all open fitness-to-practise cases, and the approved course list (including AMHP programmes). Its legal basis is the Children and Social Work Act 2017, Part 2 — s.36 establishes the regulator, s.40 restricts protected titles and s.45 creates offences for breaching the s.40 restrictions — with The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/893) beneath it. Using the title “social worker” (in relation to social work in England) without registration is a criminal offence. The check surface is a public, free Search the Register at socialworkengland.org.uk — by name and/or registration number — showing current status and any fitness-to-practise restrictions; FtP outcomes are published.
Entry requirements & restrictions
- IELTS requirement for overseas applicants
- Full academic IELTS taken at a test centre, overall score at least 7.0, taken within the last 2 years, with original stamp and test report form number. General, IELTS online, online indicator and one-skill retake are not accepted[4]
- Qualification evidence and translations
- Colour copy of certificate showing award date, colour copy of full transcript, and name, address and email of the course provider and awarding body. Non-English documents need a certified translation[5]
Sources & verification
- Social Work England is the specialist statutory regulator for social workers in England only; it took over from the HCPC on 2 December 2019, inheriting ~100,000 registrants, open fitness-to-practise cases and the approved course list, source, Last verified 2026-06-10
- Legal basis: Children and Social Work Act 2017 Part 2 (s.36 establishes the regulator; s.40 restricts protected titles; s.45 creates offences) plus the Social Workers Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/893) — using the title "social worker" in England without registration is a criminal offence, source, Last verified 2026-06-10
- The SWE register is publicly searchable for free by name and/or registration number; it shows current status and fitness-to-practise restrictions, and FtP outcomes are published, source, Last verified 2026-09-11
- IELTS requirement for overseas applicants: Full academic IELTS taken at a test centre, overall score at least 7.0, taken within the last 2 years, with original stamp and test report form number. General, IELTS online, online indicator and one-skill retake are not accepted, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 🔶
- Qualification evidence and translations: Colour copy of certificate showing award date, colour copy of full transcript, and name, address and email of the course provider and awarding body. Non-English documents need a certified translation, source, Last verified 2026-10-14
Verified reference information, not professional, medical, legal or careers advice. Regulations change; always check the cited primary source before relying on it.