Location: National
Proposed fee: £357 per day; A minimum commitment of 25-30 days per year
This is a ‘worker’ status role. As such, all payments will be processed through payroll and will be subject to statutory deductions including income tax, National Insurance, and optional pension contributions where applicable.
Social Work England is the specialist body that regulates social workers in their vital role. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change, and ultimately improve people’s lives.
We’re looking for partners who can offer their skills and knowledge for several days throughout the year to support our fitness to practise function.
Lay Panel Chairs are individuals who are not registered social workers nor hold the qualifications that would entitle them to be registered. As a Lay Panel Chair, you will be able to apply your professional expertise and knowledge to make sound, impartial and independent decisions. As part of the role you will be expected to have an in-depth knowledge of the case papers in advance of hearings, chair proceedings and ensure a full record is made of the decision reached and the reasons for it.
You will play a pivotal role in our fitness to practise hearings, which assesses concerns about a social worker’s professional conduct, competence, or health. You will lead panels to ensure proceedings are conducted fairly, efficiently, and in accordance with our regulations and fitness to practise rules. Your responsibilities will include facilitating discussions, managing hearings, and preparing comprehensive reports on decisions reached.
Lay Panel Chairs are appointed to hear cases and contribute to decision making under Regulation 19(3), 25 and Schedule 2 of The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (as amended). A ‘lay person’ means a person who is not and never has been registered as a social worker in the UK and does not hold qualifications that would entitle them to be registered.  If you meet the definition of a lay person, you are eligible to undertake a lay panel chair role.
We are looking for candidates from diverse backgrounds who are representative of the UK population, our registrants and communities our social workers serve across the country.
Our offices are Sheffield based, with the majority of our hearings taking place remotely. We are keen to receive applications from candidates throughout the UK

What you will do

• Panel Leadership: Chair fitness to practise hearings, ensuring that proceedings are conducted impartially, transparently, and in line with established regulations.
• Read documents in advance and assimilate information quickly and accurately.  
• Make directions in cases where a case management meeting is necessary in relation to evidence, witnesses, hearing length and format, allegations or anything else of relevance to ensure the smooth running of a hearing.  
• Ensure that all hearings are conducted fairly, efficiently and effectively.   
• Manage all participants effectively that are in attendance at the hearing to ensure efficient and fair use of hearing time, in accordance with the hearings timetable.  
• Ensure that a hearing is held in public or private when appropriate to do so. 
• Make confident and independent decisions that stand up to scrutiny, doing so under pressure, and articulating these clearly and carefully in precise written decisions. 
• Decide if regulatory action is required and if so, issue appropriate sanctions and outcomes. 
• Ensure that an accurate, fair and comprehensive decision is produced.  
• Evaluate evidence presented for the hearing and provide analytical scrutiny to the case, considering complex issues, multiple facts, and emotive issues.  
• Compliance: Ensure that all hearings adhere to Social Work England’s procedures and statutory requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Engage in training and development activities to maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and best practices.

Your skills, knowledge and experience

• Independence: Must be a layperson, defined as a person who is not and never has been registered as a social worker in the UK and does not hold qualifications that would entitle them to be registered
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead meetings effectively, manage group dynamics, and facilitate balanced discussions.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills with the capacity to assess complex information and make impartial decisions.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate decisions clearly and sensitively.
• Commitment to Public Service: A strong commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles): Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership
• Ability to run hearings and meetings effectively and efficiently and to time. 
• Demonstrable commitment to and understanding of our fitness to practise statutory framework (or commitment to acquiring that understanding), and evidence of a commitment to remain informed and up to date on current issues.  
• Ability to collaborate with other adjudicators, demonstrating respect for the views and advice of others and supporting collective decision making. 
• Excellent analytical skills and an ability to identify key issues, gather information quickly and accurately, and manage complex material with ease. 
• Awareness of issues impacting people who use health or social care services, or with lived experience of service engagement. Educated to degree level or equivalent, or other relevant experience.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and composure in challenging or sensitive situations.
• Ability to prepare written outcomes that explain and justify decisions in an accurate, clear, and concise manner. 
• An understanding of the Data Protection Act, the importance of preventing data security incidents and maintaining confidentiality.  
• A proven role model for respectful, open and honest behaviour including a demonstrable commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity in service delivery.  
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products and other electronic systems.

Please note that if you have ever been on a social work register or hold a qualification that would entitle you to be a registered social worker, you are not eligible to undertake a lay role.
How to apply

To apply for the role, please complete the application form and submit your application by 18th July 2025. The application process includes:

• Online Application: Submit your CV and complete the sift criteria.
• Shortlisting: Applications will be assessed against sift criteria to include 3 questions about essential skills.
• Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which may include scenario-based assessments.
• Training: Successful candidates will undergo comprehensive training before commencing their duties.

For more information about the role or the application process, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@socialworkengland.org.uk
Closing date - 18th July 2025
We are committed to embracing equality, diversity and inclusion by promoting and sustaining an open and supportive environment.  We want everyone to feel they are able to bring their whole selves to work. We expect everyone to have commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, both in their role and in how we regulate.
Job Type: Freelance
Pay: £357.00 per day

Benefits:

• Work from home

Schedule:

• No weekends

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sheffield, S3 8J

What you will do

• Panel Leadership: Chair fitness to practise hearings, ensuring that proceedings are conducted impartially, transparently, and in line with established regulations.
• Read documents in advance and assimilate information quickly and accurately.  
• Make directions in cases where a case management meeting is necessary in relation to evidence, witnesses, hearing length and format, allegations or anything else of relevance to ensure the smooth running of a hearing.  
• Ensure that all hearings are conducted fairly, efficiently and effectively.   
• Manage all participants effectively that are in attendance at the hearing to ensure efficient and fair use of hearing time, in accordance with the hearings timetable.  
• Ensure that a hearing is held in public or private when appropriate to do so. 
• Make confident and independent decisions that stand up to scrutiny, doing so under pressure, and articulating these clearly and carefully in precise written decisions. 
• Decide if regulatory action is required and if so, issue appropriate sanctions and outcomes. 
• Ensure that an accurate, fair and comprehensive decision is produced.  
• Evaluate evidence presented for the hearing and provide analytical scrutiny to the case, considering complex issues, multiple facts, and emotive issues.  
• Compliance: Ensure that all hearings adhere to Social Work England’s procedures and statutory requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Engage in training and development activities to maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and best practices

To apply for the role, please complete the application form and submit your application by 18th July 2025. The application process includes:

• Online Application: Submit your CV and complete the sift criteria.
• Shortlisting: Applications will be assessed against sift criteria to include 3 questions about essential skills.
• Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which may include scenario-based assessments.
• Training: Successful candidates will undergo comprehensive training before commencing their duties