[United Kingdom] Social Work England confirms online CPD system as it takes over regulation of profession

New regulations for recording continuing professional development (CPD) are changed by Social Work England. Social workers have to record CPD every year under the annual registration. They will have 21 days for that, otherwise, they need to prove CPD by a certain date or they will be removed from the register. CPD standards include using feedbacks from various sources, researching, demonstrating good subject knowledge, reflecting on learning activities and own values.

The regulator and the practitioners will communicate and reminders will be sent before the renewal period. They can also discuss the options of those practitioners who could not record the evidence on time.

Under the previous regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) practitioners usually only had to declare that they meet CPD standards. But practitioners will not be judged on the quality of their CPD but on the of the learning’s impact on their practice. Selected registrants will have their records examined, resulting in ’accepted’ or requiring ’further assessment’. In the latter case, practitioners have to give more information on their evidence or they can be removed. Registrants have to provide information about their practice and the impacts of learning. There are two options for that, a structured and unstructured form. In the structured form, they got questions which help them through the process

The requirement to record ”at least one piece of evidence" could be misunderstood, so Social Work England has changed it in the guidance to check if the registrants have “recorded any CPD during the preceding registration year”.

During the consultation, the question of time, support and opportunity to undertake CPD arose. Employers were encouraged to give time and opportunities to social workers to carry out their CPD duties, which includes various activities. Social Work England emphasized the importance of creative learning opportunities.

CPD standards by Social Work England:

• Incorporate feedback from a range of sources, including from people with lived experience of my social work practice.
• Use supervision and feedback to critically reflect on, and identify my learning needs, including how I use research and evidence to inform my practice.
• Keep my practice up to date and record how I use research, theories and frameworks to inform my practice and my professional judgment.
• Demonstrate good subject knowledge on key aspects of social work practice and develop knowledge of current issues in society and social policies impacting on social work.
• Contribute to an open and creative learning culture in the workplace to discuss, reflect on and share best practice.
• Reflect on my learning activities and evidence what impact continuing professional development has on the quality of my practice.
• Record my learning and reflection on a regular basis and in accordance with Social Work England’s guidance on continuing professional development.
• Reflect on my own values and challenge the impact they have on my practice.