Fee hike prompts crisis of confidence in Social Work England

BASW members believe Social Work England is “not fit for purpose” after the regulator announced it will increase fees by a third this year, despite 96 per cent of respondents to a consultation opposing the move.

The association warned many social workers will “vote with their feet” and refuse to renew their registration if they don’t have to work under the protected title of social worker.

BASW England and the Social Workers Union intends to raise concerns with government ministers and the Professional Standards Authority.

From September, social workers will pay £120 to renew their registration, up £30 from the original £90, followed by a 1.85 per cent increase every year after until 2029. 

Professionals looking to restore their registration will pay £180 (up from £135), rising further to £190 in 2029. And scrutiny fees – largely affecting those applying from overseas – will rise to £670 (up from £495) with another rise to £708 in 2029.

The announcement follows a 12-week consultation on the proposals which found 96 per cent of 8,000 professionals surveyed disagreed with the increase and 90 per cent disagreed with an increase in the initial registration fee. 

Respondents felt the fee increase was too high, that the cost of living crisis was already impacting social workers, and that the move would have a negative impact on recruitment and retention. 

BASW England highlighted that despite receiving “significant government funding”, a substantial backlog of Fitness to Practise cases remains.

It also criticised the regulator for announcing the increase without communicating with the association first, saying: “This is not a model of partnership leadership, nor does it reflect the spirit of collaboration expected of a publicly funded regulator.

“Some registrants will vote with their feet and walk away from the register and regulator. Not all registrants use the protected title of social worker in their job descriptor.”

BASW England’s director Maris Stratulis added: “Democratic processes of consultation become tokenistic when the voices of those who actively chose to engage are not listened to. 

“Sadly, this reinforces and exacerbates the feedback we are receiving from our members that Social Work England is not fit for purpose and that as a regulatory body it is a drain on taxpayers’ money and finite government financial resources. 

“This decision risks worsening the workforce recruitment and retention crisis, and based on what our members are telling us, it has a direct impact on the views of reputational credibility and trust in the regulator.” 

The Social Workers Union added Social Work England had “completely ignored the overwhelming response from social workers across the country who said to not increase the fees”.

Executive Committee Member Nana Yabbey-Hagan said: “Social Work England’s decision highlights why so many social workers across the country have become disenfranchised and disillusioned with the system. 

“This increase is coming in a time of a cost of living crisis not to mention the impact on those who have just qualified.”

Colum Conway, chief executive of Social Work England, defended the decision, saying: “Over the past few months we have taken time to consider all the feedback we received through the public consultation.

“We understand many people will not agree with the decision to increase our fees, but we feel this necessary to help us continue to meet our overarching objective of protecting the public.

“This will ensure we can deliver all of our regulatory objectives and goals and protect the public. This includes helping us to further improve case progression and timeliness in the fitness to practise process.”

Social Work England has previously said it wants to reduce its cost burden on the taxpayer and fees have not increased for the past ten years.

BASW England pledged to continue to stand with members in holding Social Work England to account and monitor the impact of changes to fees.

Members are encouraged to write to the Professional Standards Authority, their elected MP, the Prime Minister, secretary of state and the minister for children and families and minister of state for care to raise concerns.