Social Work England plans public converstions to shape 3-year strategy
Social Work England (SWE) is launching a “national conversation” this autumn with a series of five roadshow events across England. These events aim to engage social workers, people with lived experience, students, educators, employers, and sector bodies in shaping the future of the profession’s regulation. Discussions will focus on several key areas: setting priorities for the next three-year strategy (2026–29); future oversight of social work education through new standards for providers and expectations for new graduates; improving the efficiency and timeliness of the fitness-to-practise process, which SWE has earmarked additional funding to reform; and reviewing its continuing professional development (CPD) framework ahead of a 2026 consultation. Sarah Blackmore, SWE’s executive director of professional practice and external engagement, emphasized that organizers want input from those directly impacted—encouraging attendees to share how regulation affects their daily work and shape upcoming policy and strategy.