Social Work England has opened an eight-week public consultation on proposed guidance for a new adjudicator consensual disposal process, aimed at streamlining the resolution of fitness to practise cases.
The new process would allow adjudicators and social workers to agree on outcomes without the need for a contested final hearing, provided both parties accept the facts and proposed sanctions. This approach is intended to resolve cases more efficiently and reduce the burden of lengthy hearings.
The consultation invites feedback on the clarity and accessibility of the guidance document, which outlines eligibility criteria, procedural steps, and the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. It also explains what happens when proposals are accepted or rejected by adjudicators.
Social Work England is particularly interested in understanding how the guidance may affect individuals with protected characteristics and whether the language used is appropriate for a broad audience, including social workers, employers, adjudicators, and members of the public.
The consultation is open until 11.59pm on Monday 15 December 2025. Responses can be submitted online or via email at consultation.responses@socialworkengland.org.uk. Reasonable adjustments are available for those who need support to participate.
Following the consultation, Social Work England will publish a summary of responses and the final guidance on its website. The organisation emphasises that the consultation is focused solely on the guidance document, not on whether to introduce the consensual disposal process itself.
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