Number of fitness to practise cases lasting at least three years doubles

Social workers and their families are “suffering because of ineffective processes”, unions warn.

Community Care reported that the number of cases open for at least a year grew from 828 to 1,052 during this time. Meanwhile, the average age of fitness to practise cases that had a final outcome in April to June 2024 was 128 weeks – almost two and a half years – against an average of 110 weeks during 2023-24. 

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW), the Social Workers Union (SWU) and UNISON warned that “hundreds” of practitioners were being left in “limbo”- often unable to work – due to fitness to practise delays, to the detriment of their mental health. 

Social Work England said it acknowledged that “it [was] taking too long to resolve cases” and “recognised the distress this can cause to social workers and others involved”

Social Work England chief executive Colum Conway said the regulator handled FtP cases in line with its legal framework, which was designed “to ensure that the public remains protected, confidence in social workers is maintained and that social workers continue to meet their professional standards”.

He added:

“We have seen improvements in the outcomes for people at the various stages of our fitness to practise process. However, we know that it is taking too long to resolve cases and recognise the distress this can cause to social workers and others involved.

“We continue to look at all options for ensuring that our resources are sufficient to carry out our responsibilities and look to make efficiencies and improvements where we can. Alongside this, we continue to hold as many final hearings as we can within our available resources and have communicated with those affected.”

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