Fitness to Practise Legal Expense Cover

The IASW provides Fitness to Practise Legal Expenses cover (no other legal expenses or advice are covered under this policy) to the 'working' membership categories: Full-Time, Part-Time (20hrs or less) and First Year Post Qualify members.

Check out our simple sign up form today and become part of our professional community. 

The IASW is offering a superior insurance coverage, summarised as follows:

• The IASW policy is a legal contract that is binding and enforceable in a court of law, the same as any other insurance policy.
• We specify the amount the insurance provider is prepared to make available to a member to defend a FTP situation.
• The IASW policy is per member on an individual basis. Most importantly each member has a ring fenced legal expenses limit of €250,000 that is unique to them and is not being provided on a discretionary basis.
• IASW insurers are also very experienced in this area both here in Ireland and in the UK.  

IMPORTANT INFO RE: FITNESS TO PRACTISE LEGAL EXPENSE COVERAGE

1. IASW provides members in the 'working' categories with Fitness to Practise Legal Expenses insurance. This insurance will only respond to matters initiated by CORU that have occurred after the inception date of the insurance. Any matters that arose prior to the IASW initial membership date i.e. the date you joined are not insured under this facility. 
2. The Fitness to Practise Legal Expenses insurance that IASW have purchased on behalf of members only covers current IASW members. An individual has to be a member of IASW at the time that a CORU process commences. If membership is cancelled or lapsed then the individual concerned no longer has the benefit of the this important insurance.

HOW TO MAKE A CLAIM

As soon as you have a legal problem that you may require assistance with under this insurance (Fitness to Practise Letter of Complaint only), you can contact the IASW office on 087 7392420 or officemanager@iasw.ie

If you need a lawyer to act for you and your problem is covered under this insurance, the IASW will assist you by submitting your claim details to Us.

In general terms, you are required to immediately notify us of any potential claim or circumstances which may give rise to a claim. If you are in doubt whether a matter constitutes a notifiable claim or circumstance, contact the Legal Helpline.

If you are unable to contact the IASW Office in relation to your claim, you can telephone the Legal Helpline on 0818 868 000 and quote “Irish Association of Social Workers – Legal Expenses Insurance for legal advice on any problem occurring under this Fitness to Practise Legal Expenses policy within the Republic of Ireland. **IMPORTANT**: You must be a member of the IASW before you received your letter of complaint, in order to avail of the coverage. 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CORU RECEIVES A COMPLAINT?

Click here for further information. https://coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/fitness-to-practise/what-happens-when-a-complaint-is-received-about-me/fitness-to-practise-information-for-registrants/

SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY THE REGULATOR, CORU

As per rule 1.2 of the IASW Membership Byelaws, if a sanction is imposed by the regulator the member must notify the IASW immediatley. 

1.2. Members of the Association shall be subject to the Association’s code of ethics and practice and the Association’s Constitution and Byelaws and/or CORU Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers, and a breach of these may result in termination of membership as set out in the Company Constitution and Byelaws. If a sanction is imposed by the regulator, the member must notify the IASW immediately.