Who needs to register with Social Care Wales?

As of April 2025, Social Care Wales has registered thousands of social workers and tens of thousands of social care workers. This regulatory body mandates registration for professionals in certain roles to ensure safe and effective care throughout Wales, but many people are unsure of exactly who needs to register with Social Care Wales.

Quick Summary

Mandatory registration with Social Care Wales applies to social workers, social work students, and specific social care managers and workers in Wales. Eligibility depends on the role, with statutory deadlines for application and renewal to maintain professional standards and public trust.

Key Points

• Social Workers and Students: Social workers and social work students in Wales are legally required to register with Social Care Wales before they can practice.

• Social Care Managers: Managers in specific care services, including adult care homes, domiciliary care, and residential child care, must be registered from their first day in the role.

• Phased Worker Registration: Mandatory registration for various social care worker roles, including domiciliary and residential care workers, has been phased in over several years.

• Impending Worker Mandate: Registration becomes mandatory for Special School Residential Workers on September 30, 2026, though applications are already open.

• Nurses and Unregulated Roles: Nurses working exclusively in a nursing capacity do not need to register, but those in a social care worker role do. Some other specific roles are also exempt from mandatory registration.

• Ongoing Responsibilities: Registered professionals must uphold the Code of Professional Practice and complete ongoing training (PRTL) to maintain their registration.

• Online Application: The registration process is completed online through the SCWonline portal and requires providing personal and employment details for endorsement.

Mandatory registration for social workers and students

It is a legal requirement for social workers in Wales to be registered with Social Care Wales (SCW) before they can practice. This requirement also extends to students undertaking an approved social work degree course in Wales.

• Social workers: Anyone practicing as a qualified social worker in Wales must register.
• Social work students: Individuals enrolled in an approved social work degree program must register at the start of their course.

Social care managers in regulated services

Registration with Social Care Wales is required for managers in specific social care services from their first day in the role. This includes managers in adult and children's services. Roles requiring registration include adult care home managers, domiciliary care managers, residential child care managers, adoption service managers, and fostering service managers.

Social care workers: A phased approach

Mandatory registration for social care workers has been implemented in phases under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, with deadlines varying by role and start date. Adult care home workers have required registration since 2022, and domiciliary care workers since 2020. Other groups needing registration include residential child care, residential family centre, and secure accommodation service workers. Registration for special school residential workers opens for applications on April 1, 2025, and becomes mandatory on September 30, 2026.

Who does not need to register?

Some positions are currently exempt, though it's important to verify specific role requirements. Nurses working solely in a nursing capacity do not register with Social Care Wales, but would need to if working in an unregistered social care role like a healthcare assistant. Some other social care roles are also not subject to mandatory registration.

How to register with Social Care Wales

The online registration process is completed via the SCWonline portal. Applicants need to provide personal and employment details, including information about any disciplinary or criminal history. There are several ways for social care workers to register, including holding a relevant qualification, undergoing employer assessment against set standards if they lack a qualifying certificate, or completing the All Wales induction framework.

Key post-registration responsibilities

Maintaining registration after a successful application involves continuous professional development and adhering to the Code of Professional Practice. This includes completing 90 hours of Post-Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) over a three-year period and paying an annual fee. Following the Code of Professional Practice is also a mandatory requirement.

Comparison table: Who needs to register with Social Care Wales?

Role Category	Specific Roles	Registration Status	Application/Compliance Notes
Social Workers & Students	Social Worker, Social Work Student	Mandatory	Registration required before practice; student registration at start of course.
Social Care Managers	Adult Care Home Manager, Domiciliary Care Manager, Residential Child Care Manager, Adoption Service Manager, Fostering Service Manager	Mandatory	Registration required before the first day of work in the management role.
Social Care Workers	Adult Care Home Worker, Domiciliary Care Worker, Residential Child Care Worker, Residential Family Centre Worker, Secure Accommodation Service Worker	Mandatory	Phased implementation now complete for most. Deadlines based on start date for some workers.
Social Care Workers (Upcoming)	Special School Residential Worker	Mandatory	Application possible from April 2025; mandatory from September 30, 2026.
Healthcare Professionals	Registered Nurse (working as a nurse)	Not Mandatory	Regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Mandatory if working in a social care role like a healthcare assistant.

Conclusion

Registration with Social Care Wales is a legal and professional requirement for a wide range of social workers, managers, and social care workers in Wales. The phased introduction of mandatory registration ensures the workforce meets high standards of competence and conduct, ultimately protecting individuals using care services. While some specific roles are exempt, the trend is towards greater professionalisation and accountability across the sector. Those unsure of their status should check the official Social Care Wales website and consult their employer to ensure compliance with the law and professional standards. The process, while requiring careful attention to detail, is designed to enhance public trust and maintain a high-quality social care workforce across the country. For further guidance on the process, consult the detailed information on the official {Link: Social Care Wales site https://socialcare.wales/pdfs/scw-why-we-register-45698.pdf}.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary purpose of registering with Social Care Wales?

The primary purpose is to ensure that all registered social care professionals in Wales are competent, qualified, and accountable for their work, protecting the public and maintaining professional standards across the sector.

When do newly appointed social care managers need to register?

Social care managers in roles such as adult care home manager or domiciliary care manager must register with Social Care Wales before their first day in the job.

Does a qualified social worker from outside Wales need to register?

Yes, any social worker intending to practice in Wales, regardless of where they qualified, must register with Social Care Wales and meet the necessary requirements for qualification verification and practice experience.

What happens if a worker practices without mandatory registration?

If a worker is in a role requiring mandatory registration and practices without it, they are doing so illegally. For social workers, this could lead to prosecution. Employers that use unregistered staff in regulated roles also risk enforcement action.

What qualifications are needed to register as a social care worker?

Registration can be achieved through different routes. One way is to hold an accepted qualification, like the Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care. Alternatively, new workers can register after completing the All Wales induction framework, or a worker with sufficient experience can register via employer assessment.

What are the ongoing requirements for maintaining registration?

To maintain registration, individuals must pay an annual fee, follow the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care, and complete a minimum of 90 hours of Post-Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) over a three-year cycle.

Are healthcare assistants (HCAs) required to register with Social Care Wales?

Yes, Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) are required to register with Social Care Wales if they are working in registered social care settings, such as adult care homes or domiciliary care services.