Getting ready for registration Workers in care at home and housing support Registration with the Scottish Social Services Council

Who is the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and what does it do? The SSSC is the regulator for the social service workforce in Scotland. The SSSC was set up under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001. It was set up to: protect people who use social services raise standards of practice strengthen and support the professionalism of the workforce. It protects the public by registering social service workers. Where people fall below the standards it can investigate and take action. Registration brings the social service sector in line with other regulated professions, for example, teachers and nurses who have been regulated for many, many years.

It’s your time to register Workers in care at home and housing support services can apply to register from 2 October 2017. Managers and supervisors in care at home and housing support services are already registered with the SSSC.

The SSSC Register There are over 100,000 workers on the SSSC Register. Child care workers and managers - 40,000 Social workers and social work students - 13,000 Adult care workers and managers - 42,000 A further 45,000 workers in care at home and housing support will be registered

The SSSC Register The Register is on the SSSC website www.sssc.uk.com This allows people to check whether a worker is registered to carry out the role. It is illegal for an employer to employ someone who is not registered in a role that requires registration.

The SSSC Register For each part of the Register there is a qualification requirement. Workers can be registered without holding the qualification but would need to gain the qualification within five years. 60% of workers on the Register are qualified. The other 40% are working towards a qualification.

Responsibilities of registered workers Adhere to the SSSC Code of Practice. Pay an annual registration fee. Renew registration every five years. Carry out post registration training and learning (PRTL) to keep their practice up to date. Meet the qualification requirements. Keep the SSSC up to date with their circumstances.

SSSC Codes of Practice The revised SSSC Codes of Practice came into effect on 1 November 2016. The SSSC Code of Practice for Workers sets out clear standards of professional conduct and practice that social service workers must meet in their every day work. Examples of the Code are that a worker: will respect and maintain the dignity and privacy of people who use services will be truthful, open, honest and trustworthy will not abuse, neglect or harm people who use services, carers or my colleagues. The SSSC Code of Practice for Employers sets out the responsibilities of employers in the regulation of social service workers.