What is the HCPC in Health and Social Care?

The HCPC stands for the Health and Care Professions Council. It is a statutory regulator in the United Kingdom responsible for regulating a number of health and social care professions. The HCPC sets standards for training, professional skills, behaviour and health for the professionals it regulates. It exists to protect members of the public by making sure that registered professionals meet these standards and practise safely.

The HCPC plays a major part in keeping care standards high. It ensures that only workers who are qualified, competent, and fit to practise remain on its register. This means that if you are a service user receiving help from a physiotherapist, social worker, or another HCPC-regulated professional, you can have confidence that they have been assessed against formal requirements.

The Purpose of the HCPC

The HCPC’s purpose is largely about public protection. Without regulation, there would be a higher risk of unsafe practice. The HCPC helps to prevent that risk by monitoring the competence and conduct of health and social care professionals throughout their careers.

It:

• Maintains a register of professionals who have met required standards
• Publishes standards of conduct, performance and ethics
• Investigates concerns about behaviour or performance
• Approves education and training programmes for regulated professions
• Sets continuing professional development requirements

By doing these things, the HCPC improves trust between the public and the professions it oversees.

Professions Regulated by the HCPC

The HCPC regulates a specific group of professions. They include:

• Arts therapists
• Biomedical scientists
• Chiropodists / podiatrists
• Clinical scientists
• Dietitians
• Hearing aid dispensers
• Occupational therapists
• Operating department practitioners
• Orthoptists
• Paramedics
• Physiotherapists
• Practitioner psychologists
• Prosthetists / orthotists
• Radiographers
• Social workers (in England)
• Speech and language therapists

Not all health and social care professionals fall under HCPC regulation. For example, nurses and midwives are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and doctors are regulated by the General Medical Council. The HCPC’s remit is for these defined professions only.

Registering with the HCPC

To work in one of the regulated professions in the UK, registration with the HCPC is usually a legal requirement. Registration shows that the individual meets the standards of training, professional skills, conduct, and health set by the HCPC.

The registration process involves:

• Completing an approved education or training programme
• Meeting language requirements
• Demonstrating fitness to practise
• Paying a registration fee
• Providing personal and professional references

Applicants must also declare any criminal convictions, cautions, or disciplinary actions. The HCPC considers these declarations before deciding whether to approve the registration.

Once registered, professionals must renew their registration every two years to continue practising legally.

Standards Set by the HCPC

The HCPC publishes a number of standards which all registrants must meet at all times. These cover:

• Standards of conduct, performance and ethics – how professionals should behave both inside and outside of work
• Standards of proficiency – the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to practise safely
• Standards for continuing professional development – the learning activities that professionals must undertake to keep their knowledge and skills up to date
• Standards for education and training – requirements that universities and training providers must meet before their courses can be approved by the HCPC

These standards are designed to guide professional behaviour and practice. They apply equally whether the professional is newly qualified or has decades of experience.

Fitness to Practise

One of the main duties of the HCPC is to investigate fitness to practise concerns. Fitness to practise means being capable of working safely and effectively without physical or mental health issues, misconduct, or a lack of competence interfering with the role.

Concerns about a professional can come from service users, employers, or other professionals. The HCPC investigates each case carefully. Possible outcomes include:

• No further action
• Advice or a warning
• Conditions on practice (e.g., extra training or supervision)
• Suspension from the register
• Striking off the register (removal)

Professionals removed from the register cannot legally work in their regulated role until they have reapplied and met all conditions again.

Education and Training Requirements

To become registered, a professional must complete an HCPC-approved education programme. This could be a university degree or a post-graduate course, depending on the profession.

Education programmes must meet the HCPC’s standards for education and training. This means they must prepare students with both academic knowledge and practical skills. Courses often include placements in real work settings to allow students to practise under supervision.

The HCPC regularly reviews these programmes to make sure standards remain high. If a course no longer meets the standards, approval can be withdrawn, and graduates from that course would not be eligible for registration.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The HCPC requires registered professionals to keep their skills and knowledge up to date through CPD. This helps them maintain a good standard of practice throughout their careers.

CPD activities include:

• Attending courses or workshops
• Completing online training modules
• Reading professional journals
• Participating in case studies or peer review groups
• Reflecting on practical experience and learning from it

Professionals must keep records of their CPD activities. The HCPC audits a sample of professionals every two years to check these records. Those who fail to meet CPD requirements may be removed from the register.

Public Protection and Confidence

The HCPC exists for the public’s benefit. It helps make sure that the right people are practising in health and social care roles. It protects against harm by setting clear standards and taking action against those who break them.

For service users, this means they can check the HCPC register to verify that their professional is properly qualified and fit to practise. Employers can use the register to confirm applicants’ credentials. It builds confidence in the care people receive.

Complaints and Investigations

The HCPC encourages anyone to raise concerns about a registrant if they believe they are practising unsafely or unethically. Complaints are assessed and, if they meet certain thresholds, a formal investigation follows.

Investigations are fair and transparent. They give the professional a chance to respond to the allegations. If the case goes to a hearing, it is usually held in public, and decisions are published online. This openness reinforces trust in the process.

Impact on Professionals

For those working in a regulated profession, the HCPC’s role affects many parts of their career. They must meet high standards, and failure to do so can lead to disciplinary action. Registration offers benefits such as professional recognition, legal compliance, and public confidence.

The requirement for CPD means professionals continue developing their skills over time. Fitness to practise checks provide reassurance to employers and the public that regulatory oversight is active.

How the HCPC Differs from Other Regulators

The HCPC covers multiple professions, while other health and social care regulators often work with just one profession. For example:

• The General Medical Council regulates doctors only.
• The Nursing and Midwifery Council regulates nurses and midwives only.

Because the HCPC works with a variety of professions, its standards must be broad enough to apply to different roles, but specific enough to be relevant for each profession. This makes its range unique among UK regulators.

Public Access to the Register

The register is available online and free for anyone to access. It contains the name, profession, registration number and registration status of each HCPC registrant. If a professional has been suspended or removed, this is shown too.

This openness creates transparency. It lets people check credentials before agreeing to care or treatment. It also holds professionals accountable for maintaining their standards.

Final Thoughts

The Health and Care Professions Council plays an important safeguarding role in health and social care across the UK. It regulates defined professions by setting and enforcing standards for education, practise, conduct, and ongoing development. Through registration requirements, CPD monitoring, and fitness to practise investigations, it ensures that members of the public receive care from people who are qualified, competent, and trustworthy. By holding professionals to clear standards and providing a transparent register, the HCPC builds trust between service users, employers, and health and social care workers. Anyone involved in these professions should understand the HCPC’s role and meet its requirements to work legally and deliver safe, effective care.