The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2025-26, covering the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
The report sets out how the Social Care Council delivered its programme of work during the year, including maintaining the registration of more than 49,000 social workers and social care practitioners across Northern Ireland, and progressing key priorities under its Strategic Plan 2023-27.
Highlights from the year include significant progress on digital transformation with the introduction of online Fitness to Practise referrals, implementation of the Care in Practice Framework – including an interactive resource – and the expansion of the Learning Zone. The organisation also delivered over 150 engagement opportunities involving around 4,000 managers, practitioners, students and service users across Northern Ireland.
The report also covers the Social Care Council’s work to develop the Care in Practice Framework, progress on the review of social care qualifications and National Occupational Standards, and the continued delivery of public awareness campaigns promoting the value of social work and social care.
Financially, the Social Care Council achieved break-even and received an unqualified audit opinion from the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
You can read the full Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 here.