Social Worker Registration Compliance and Support

Find out about our Social Worker Registration Compliance and Support function and who to contact if you have concerns.

The Social Workers Registration Act 2003

The purposes and function of the Act are to:

enhance the professionalism of the social worker sector
protect the safety of members of the public
require registration and practising certificates are held by those who:
- claim to be a social worker
- are practising as a social worker.

The Act requires anyone practising as a social worker to be registered with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB). Only people registered as a social worker may use:

the title ‘social worker’
descriptions stating or implying that a person is a social worker.

The Social Workers Registration Board

The SWRB administers registrations and practising certificates.

Concerns may include:

their competence
their actions
whether or not they currently hold a practising certificate.

Our role

We take the lead on responding to concerns about anyone who is not registered as a social worker.

Social workers who are not registered may have not demonstrated to the SWRB that they are fit to practice, and therefore may pose a risk to the public.

Anyone can get in touch with Te Kāhui Kāhu if they have concerns about a person or an organisation.

We will follow up on every notification received to ensure that legal requirements are upheld.

Individuals who are eligible to be registered will be supported with information on how they can comply with legal requirements.

Further information

You can find further information at: