HCPC deadline extended as thousands fail to register

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) said it is “disappointing” that nearly a quarter of social workers in England have yet to renew their registration and announced an extension of the deadline for doing so until 2 January.

So far, 67,000 social workers in England have fully renewed their HCPC registration, representing 76 per cent of the profession.

But 21,000 have yet to renew and risk being unable to practice using the title “social worker”.

The HCPC, which took over regulation from the General Social Care Council on 1 August, set the original deadline as 30 November.

It said it was a “considerable achievement” that so many had already registered and urged those who have not to get moving.

A spokesperson said: “Social workers play a critical role in society, we want to prevent unnecessarily removing individuals from practise who are part way through the process.

“We will write to all those individuals who fail to renew by 30 November 2012 giving them notice that unless they complete the process immediately and no later than 2 January 2013 they will be removed from the register. Until this date, social workers may continue to practise.”

The HCPC said a significant number were currently going through the process of registering. A total of 5,900 have paid but not signed their declaration and 4,350 have signed but not paid.

The HCPC last issued a warning two weeks ago, by when 44,000 social workers in England had registered.

To register, social workers have to pay £76 annual fees by the deadline. They can either set up a direct debit for £38 every six months or a single two-year payment of £152.

The HCPC has previously warned that late registration could result in having to pay an increased fee of £191 for the first year’s registration.

Find out more by visiting the HCPC website.