The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) regulates social workers in Scotland under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (the register is established under s.44, with title protection). The public check is free at sssc.uk.com — Check the Register. Two traps for verification: the SSSC also registers the wider social care workforce (students, care workers, managers), so “on the register” is not the same as “registered as a social worker” — the check must confirm the register part; and the fee is on a live escalator — £96 for 2026–27 (was £80, rising £8/year from 1 April 2025 to £120 in 2029–30, approved despite opposition). The Scottish disclosure regime is PVG (Disclosure Scotland), not DBS.
At a glance
- Application hold period for applicants outside Scotland
- Six months; rejected if applicant has not started living or working in Scotland in that time[4]
- Registration deadline for social workers new to practice in Scotland
- May work but must be registered within six months of starting work as a social worker; previously worked in Scotland must register before starting[5]
Entry requirements & restrictions
- Non-UK qualification evidence
- Detailed information in English about the qualification as it was when studied, for SSSC assessment[6]
What it costs to qualify
- Non-UK social work qualification assessment fee
- £320 · £320 plus possible additional costs, in addition to the application fee[3]
Sources & verification
- The SSSC regulates social workers in Scotland under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (register: s.44, with title protection), and offers a free public Search the Register, source, Last verified 2026-09-11
- Non-UK social work qualification assessment fee: £320 plus possible additional costs, in addition to the application fee, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 🔶
- Application hold period for applicants outside Scotland: Six months; rejected if applicant has not started living or working in Scotland in that time, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 🔶
- Registration deadline for social workers new to practice in Scotland: May work but must be registered within six months of starting work as a social worker; previously worked in Scotland must register before starting, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 🔶
- Non-UK qualification evidence: Detailed information in English about the qualification as it was when studied, for SSSC assessment, 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.