The SWW Professional Standards Board is pleased to announce a new suite of template documents designed for the appointment of Locums.
Under Section 2.13 of the SWW Code of Practice, maintaining a succession plan or locum arrangement is a mandatory condition of membership. While this has always been a requirement, we are now providing a standardised format to help members comply more easily.
What’s Included?
The following templates are now available for download from the Best Practice Resources section of the Members Area:
- Locum Agreement
- Terms of Business Wording
- Client Communication Templates: Ready-to-use letters for your locum partner to send to clients if the agreement is activated, including options for clients who may choose an alternative provider.
Why This Matters
The SWW deals with an increasing number of cases each year where members pass away or become incapacitated without a locum, or successor in place. This creates significant distress for clients and places an avoidable burden on us and other members to resolve outstanding matters. Establishing a formal locum arrangement ensures a seamless continuation of service and fulfils your professional responsibility to your clients.
Next Steps for Members
- We encourage you to reach out to a local SWW member to create a locum agreement. A sensible place to request support for this would be through your SWW Regional Group.
- Once you have created an agreement, please send a copy to our membership team. This will be stored on your record, and going forward a check for locum agreements will be incorporated into the annual audit process.
- If you are unable to arrange a suitable arrangement with a local member, the SWW will begin to maintain a list of members willing to provide this service. To begin with, please contact Antony Brinkman (The Willwriting Partnership) or Nick Ash (W&P Legal), who are available to be appointed where no local option exists.
From the Board
“This has been a persistent issue for years. We are pleased to finally offer a template agreement that helps firms comply with this vital membership condition.” — Sara Sheppard, Vice-Chair of the PSB
“Having to step in where members leave clients with nowhere to turn has long been a pain point of mine. While the SWW Public Indemnity Fund (PIF) exists for emergencies, utilising a locum is far more effective for the client and ensures the fund isn’t needlessly depleted.” — Anthony Belcher, Managing Director of the SWW
