Social Work England confirms changes to registration rules following consultation

Social Work England will implement changes to its registration rules from 1 September 2025, following a public consultation that received broad support for the proposals.

The regulator has confirmed amendments to Rule 16 and Rule 22 of its registration framework. Rule 16 will reduce the validity period of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificates from five years to two, aligning with standards used by other regulators and ensuring language proficiency is current at the point of registration.

Rule 22 will remove the requirement for registrants to declare their gender identity during mandatory data collection. This change reflects updated guidance under the Public Sector Equality Duty and aims to streamline data practices while respecting registrants’ privacy. In place of the previous approach, Social Work England will introduce revised voluntary questions on sex and gender reassignment, based on recommendations from the independent review led by Professor Alice Sullivan.

These updates are designed to improve the clarity, fairness, and relevance of the registration process. The regulator will publish updated rules and implement the changes at the start of the next registration renewal period.

Full details of the consultation feedback and the rationale for the changes are available in Social Work England’s official consultation response.

Paul Rees MBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“A guaranteed opportunity for a role after years of hard work in education is excellent news for future nursing and midwifery graduates.

“It means highly educated professionals can move into roles more quickly, utilising their skills and knowledge for the benefit of patients and communities. This is critically important at a time of rising demand for health and social care.

“We will continue working to place all new graduates on our register quickly and safely, so they can begin their roles at the earliest opportunity.”

“We would particularly call on employers to ensure that as the Graduate Guarantee is rolled out, they use ‘preceptorship’ programmes, where possible, to welcome and integrate newly registered professionals into their new team and place of work.”

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