Renewal

Registration lasts for up to three years. After that you'll need to apply to renew your registration, otherwise it'll lapse and your name will be removed from the Register and you won’t be able to legally practise in Wales.

By being registered you show that you’re suitable to work in social care by:

• being appropriately qualified
• being physically and mentally fit to practise
• having the right character and competence
• agreeing to follow the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers
• confirming you intend to practise social work in Wales during your registration period
• confirming you will practise in Wales in the type of work you applied to register for.

You need to renew your registration every three years from the date of your original registration. Your application for renewal will be available for you to complete on your SCWonline account 86 days before your renewal date. We'll email you at this time to remind you.

If your application is incomplete you must supply any missing information before renewal is granted.

You must complete your application at least 21 days before your renewal date. If your renewal hasn't been completed 21 days before your renewal date we’ll send you (and your last known employer) a 'notice of intention to remove' reminder.

We can’t guarantee to process renewal applications in less than 21 days. Unless you have renewed, your registration will lapse one day after your renewal date.

To renew your registration you will need to:

• login into your SCWonline account
• go to ‘Renew My Registration‘ click on 'Renew'
• your account will show the most up to date information we hold for you. You will be able to make changes to this information
• complete the form and pay your renewal fee
• confirm that you've kept your training and learning up to date.

All registered persons (except social work students) must keep a record of their CPD, but you don't need to send evidence to us unless we request it.

You must regularly discuss your training and learning with your manager to ensure it helps improve your delivery of care and support. You'll need to confirm that this has been done as part of your renewal.

We may sample CPD records, but if we ask you for this information, we’ll give you plenty of time to send us what we need.

Social workers and social care managers

The majority of social workers and social care managers won't need to get their renewal endorsed.

Social care workers

All social care workers must have their renewal endorsed.

When completing your application you will be asked to choose from a list of approved people (signatories) for your organisation to endorse your renewal.

The signatory will log in to their SCWonline account, view the information and complete the required questions.

Please note that your endorser must be a professional individual who isn’t a relative and doesn't have a personal relationship with you.

If you're self-employed

If you’re self-employed or have a family business you must confirm that your training and learning is up to date and in line with the standards set out in the Codes of Professional Practice.

Read our guidance pages on verifying and endorsing.

We may refuse your application for renewal if you haven't met all the requirements of registration.

If you're removed from the Register you won’t be able to work in a role that needs registration.

In exceptional circumstances you can submit a written statement explaining why you've not met the requirements to the Registrar. For more information or to submit your written statement contact registrants@socialcare.wales.

If you don't renew your registration your name will be removed from the Register, which means you won’t be legally registered to practise in Wales.

Should you wish to return to the Register following removal you will need to:

• complete a new application on your SCWonline account
• pay any outstanding fees you may have.

If there’s evidence that questions a registered person's suitability to work in social care they may be investigated by us.

We can refuse registration or we can impose sanctions on their registration such as:

• restrictions on working
• training requirements
• work experience.

If you have a question or if you can't find what you are looking for get in touch with us.