Information about the roles of lead and additional signatories, how to become a signatory, and what you need to do at each step of the registration process.
Employers and higher education institutions must nominate appropriate people to act as signatories.
Signatories endorse applications so people can register with us and renew their registration.
There are three types of signatories:
- lead signatories: someone in a senior role with access to HR records. This role will have overall responsibility for the registration process on behalf of the organisation, including endorsing any application.
- additional signatories: nominated by a lead signatory, they can endorse applications sent to them.
- competence assessors: registered managers, or if there isn’t a registered manager at an organisation, the Responsible Individual can nominate somebody. A lead or additional signatory might have this role too.
What does a signatory do?
Signatories are responsible for:
- endorsing applications
- verifying identity documents
- exchanging information with us
- letting us know about any issues around fitness to practise
- letting us know if a registered person has left your employment
- support individuals to remain on the Register
- letting us know if a student defers or withdraws from the course
- updating student enrolment and DBS information through SCWonline
- confirming applicants or registered people are suitable to be part of a professional workforce and have the skills, knowledge and relevant training to provide good care and support to the people of Wales.
How do I become a signatory?
To become a lead signatory, contact signatories@socialcare.wales. You’ll be asked questions to check you’re suitable for the role.
To become an additional signatory, go to the ‘Apply for Signatory’ section on SCWonline. Once you’ve submitted your request, your organisation’s lead signatory will need to approve it.
An organisation must have an approved lead signatory before we can add any additional signatories.
Remember...
If you already have an SCWonline account, you don’t need to create a new one to become a signatory.
You only need one SCWonline account for all roles and any interactions you have with us.
After becoming a signatory
We’ll email you to let you know when you’ve been accepted as a signatory. We’ll explain next steps and tell you how to create an SCWonline account, if you don’t already have one.
Once you’re set-up as a signatory in SCWonline, you can:
- see who’s registered and who’s applied to register at your organisation
- see the annual fee and renewal dates of registered people
- request and approve new signatories (lead signatory only)
- maintain your list of signatories (lead signatory only)
- be the main contact on registration issues
- let us know if anyone leaves their job
- access enhanced registration information such as fitness to practise sanctions.
The signatory’s role in the registration process
This guide explains what lead and additional signatories need to do at each stage of the registration process, from getting started to managing ongoing responsibilities.