The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) invites views from almost 50,000 registered professionals and the wider public on proposed changes to registration fees.
The Social Care Council has today launched an eight-week public consultation on proposals to review the registration fees paid by social workers, social care managers, social care practitioners and social work students in Northern Ireland.
The consultation period will run from 14 September 2026 and close on 9 November 2026.
Tracy Reid, Chief Executive of the Social Care Council, said:
“I know this is a significant consultation for our workforce, and I don’t take that lightly. Our registration fees in Northern Ireland have not changed since 2016, and in that time the Council has faced a 24% reduction in Department of Health funding over six years, with a further 5% efficiency saving required this year.
“At the same time, our register has grown by 102% and our Fitness to Practise referrals have increased by 40%, meaning we now have waiting lists for the first time. We simply cannot continue to deliver effective, safe regulation without a sustainable funding base.”
She continued: “We are proposing a closer alignment with the rest of the UK. For social workers and social care managers, we propose an increase from £65 to £120 in Year 1, with a further rise in Year 2. For social care practitioners, it’s an increase from £30 to £40 in year 1, with no further rise for social care practitioners in Year 2.
“This consultation is an opportunity to tell us what registrants and others think about these proposals, including whether they are fair, what would make them more manageable, and what support you need.”
Why the review is needed
Registration fees were last set in 2016. Since then, the Council’s register has grown by 102%, to almost 50,000 registrants, and the cost of delivering statutory regulatory functions, including Fitness to Practise processes, has increased significantly. Referrals relating to conduct or practice have risen by 40%.
The Council’s current fees remain among the lowest of all comparable UK social work and social care regulators. For comparison, social workers in Northern Ireland currently pay £65 per year, compared with £104 in Scotland and £122 in England.
The Council’s Fitness to Practise function, which protects the public from poor standards of practice, is under significant and growing pressure. This is leading to prolonged investigations and delays in hearings, which is an unsatisfactory position for both registrants and employers.
What is being proposed
This consultation sets out a proposed phased, two-year approach to fee increases.
- In Year 1, the fee for social workers and social care managers would rise from £65 to £120, and the fee for social care practitioners would rise from £30 to £40. Student fees would remain unchanged at £20.
- In Year 2, social work and social care manager fees would rise from £120 to £127. Social care practitioner fees will remain the same as year 1.
- In Year 2, a new tiered structure would be introduced for social work, linking fees to job role, with a new fee category role of ‘senior leader – social worker’ being introduced (which equates to Band 8a or above under Agenda for Change, or equivalent) with a fee of £150.
The proposed fee level increases are:
| Part of Register | Current fee level | Proposed Fee – First year | Proposed Free – Second year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker | £65 | £120 | £127 |
| Senior leader – social worker | N/A | N/A | £150 |
| Social care manager | £65 | £120 | £127 |
| Social care practitioner | £30 | £40 | £40 (no change) |
| Social work student | £20 | £20 (no change) | £20 (no change) |
The consultation asks for views on whether these proposals are fair and proportionate, whether a phased approach is right, what payment options would help (including the possible introduction of Direct Debit).
Equality and affordability
The Social Care Council has carried out a full Equality Impact Assessment , published alongside the consultation, which considers potential impacts across all Section 75 equality groups. The consultation specifically seeks views on how to mitigate these impacts. Tax relief is also available: eligible taxpayers can claim back 20% of their registration fee through HMRC.
How to respond
The consultation is open to everyone, and the Social Care Council particularly encourages responses from registered social workers, social care managers, social care practitioners, social work students, employers, trade unions, professional bodies and members of the public.
Responses can be submitted via the online survey.
Further information including the Consultation document, Equality Impact Assessment, Quick reference guide and FAQ can be found at: niscc.info/consultations.
Alternative formats are available on request.
The consultation closes on 9 November 2026. A full analysis report will be published following the close of the consultation.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- About us: The Social Care Council is an arm’s-length body of the Department of Health, Northern Ireland. It was established under the Health and Personal Social Services Act (Northern Ireland) 2001 and regulates the social work and social care workforce in Northern Ireland.
- It currently has almost 50,000 registrants, including over 42,000 social care practitioners, over 6,900 social workers and almost 700 social work students.
- For media enquiries: Rita McCullagh, Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement, Social Care Council on: rita.mccullagh@niscc.hscni.net or call: 07591 447804.