Frequently asked questions for NQSWs

Anyone undertaking the functions of a social worker and using the protected title of social worker must be registered.

The definition of a newly qualified social worker is set out in the SSSC Registration Rules 2025.

If you meet the definition, you must achieve the CPL requirements for NQSWs. Please contact us if you have any specific questions about registration requirements: https://www.sssc.uk.com/about-us/contact-us/

Your CPL is a requirement of SSSC registration. The requirement begins the date you register with the SSSC as a social worker, not the date you start work. CPL is related to your professional role. Social worker is a protected title. Anyone undertaking the functions of a social worker and using the title of social worker must be registered.

Try to minimise the gap between registration date and employment start date by applying to the register when you have successfully secured employment as a social worker.

If you are working over 35 hours a week as a social worker when you apply for SSSC registration, you can use learning gained during the first 12 months of your registration. You will then have a further 2 months to submit this evidence to us.

If you are working less than 35 hours a week as a social worker when you apply for SSSC registration, you can use learning gained during the first 18 months of your registration. You will then have a further 2 months to submit this evidence to us.

If you are not working as a social worker when you apply for SSSC registration, you can use learning gained during the first 18 months of your registration. You will then have a further 2 months to submit this evidence to us.

All social workers must use the Core Learning Elements for social workers: NQSW descriptors and mandatory learning activities to evidence their CPL requirements.

Part one describes the social worker core learning elements and what is expected at the NQSW career stage.

Part two covers the associated learning activity. Learning can include discussions with peers, colleagues or supervisors, reflection on day-to-day practice and learning required by your employer. Much learning activity will happen naturally throughout your first 12 or 18 months of registration.

You must familiarise yourself with the mandatory learning activity, plan your learning and review it regularly. Some employers offer specific support for NQSWs to meet CPL requirements, but it is your responsibility as a SSSC registrant.

There may be additional team or service specific learning that you need for your role.

If you registered before June 2024 nothing needs to change. Continue to keep a record of your learning. At the end of your 12 or 18 months we will contact you and ask you to submit the signed record of achievement form and evidence of a minimum of 144 hours learning within the following two months. Please remember that you must include evidence of learning relevant to protecting both adults and children from harm.

Sometimes NQSWs need additional time to meet the CPL requirements. This can be for a variety of reasons.

Please complete the NQSW Extension Request Form as soon as the need for an extension is identified and upload this on MySSSC using the ‘My documents’ tile on your homepage.

CPL is about your professional development as a social worker. You can draw on learning that happened before your registration date to justify your self-assessment against the core learning elements.

Examples – 3.1 critical thinking and analysis. One of the tasks is to read practitioner guidance on chronologies, complete a chronology, review with a colleague and reflect on the importance of this tool in your practice. You may have read the guidance before you registered, the important part is completing the rest of the activity as an NQSW.

Similarly, 3.2 – describe a piece of research that helped to inform your decision making in practice – you might describe relevant research you carried out for an essay or your dissertation and how it is now helping to shape your professional practice.

Please plan with your supervisor or employer to transfer the NQSW CPL review template and relevant evidence to your new role.

No confidential information should be included in your evidence. You must comply with GDPR and organisational security policies when transferring evidence.

Further information is available in the change of supervisor, post or employer section of the NQSW Supported Year overview and guidance 2024 document.

Sometimes NQSWs need to take a break from employment part way through their first 12 or 18 months in post. This could be for a planned period of time, for example maternity leave or for an unplanned reason.

We would encourage you to discuss your circumstances with your employer to determine the best course of action and if you need to submit an NQSW Extension Request Form

If you choose to register as a social worker, you must complete the required CPL and submit the required documents. The mandatory learning activity should be achievable regardless of setting although you may be completing it with minimal support and may need to think creatively about how to achieve some of the activity.

You should discuss this with your line manager/employer and make them aware that you have registered as a social worker and have NQSW CPL requirements to meet.

If you are unable to meet the CPL requirements you can request removal from the social worker register if your role does not require SSSC registration. You can do this on MySSSC.

You will be required to complete your NQSW CPL requirements should you reapply for social worker registration in the future.

If you are on two parts of the SSSC Register you are expected to meet the NQSW CPL requirements.

To maintain your registration, you must complete an annual declaration on every anniversary of your original date of continuous registration. You’ll do this in MySSSC and will receive an email from us a month before it is due.  NQSW CPL is separate to the annual declaration process.

Yes, NQSWs must meet all parts of the mandatory learning activity. Your supervisor and employer must be satisfied that you have done this as they will need to validate and endorse your learning activity before you submit the required documents to the SSSC. We encourage you to plan, share and review your learning at regular intervals.

You must meet the continuous professional learning (CPL) requirements set by the SSSC to maintain your social worker registration. If you don’t submit evidence that you have met the requirements or to provide a legitimate reason for not meeting them, this will impact on your continued registration. Your employer will be notified and your name may be removed from the social worker register. If you are removed from the Register you will no longer be able to work in a role that requires social worker registration and need to reapply if required.

Further information is available in the principles section of the NQSW Supported Year Overview and Guidance 2024

Yes, anyone is welcome to complete some or all of the mandatory learning activity. If you are supervising a NQSW, then you may find it helpful to complete some of the activity you are interested in or less familiar with. This learning will count towards meeting your own CPL requirements and it can be beneficial to learn together rather than feeling under pressure to know everything.