SSSC Fitness to Practise – What it is and what we do! Calum Davidson Intake and Engagement Officer

Fitness to Practise Codes of Practice We expect social service workers and employers to meet the standards set out in the SSSC codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers (the codes) Updated in November 2016 to reflect change to fitness to practise model.

SSSC Codes of Practice The Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers is a list of statements that describe the standards of professional conduct and practice required of you as you go about your daily work. The purpose of the codes is to set out the conduct that is expected of you and to inform service users and the public about the standards of conduct they can expect. The SSSC expects social service workers to meet this code and may take action if registered workers fail to do so There is also a Code of Practice for employers which sets the standards they must adhere to including the support that they must provide to staff and to meet their responsibilities in relation to regulating the social service workforce. Part of professional registration is that all workers who are registered are expected to meet the same standards The codes allow workers to have pride in what they do with the knowledge that all registered workers are practising to the same standards of practise

Code of Practice - Social Service Workers You must protect and promote the rights and interests of people who use services and carers (5 codes) You must create and maintain the trust and confidence of people who use services and carers (7 codes) You must promote the independence of people who use services while protecting them, as far as possible, from danger and harm (10 codes) You must respect the rights of people who use services, while striving to make sure that their behaviour does not harm themselves or other people (4 codes) You must uphold public trust and confidence in social services (8 codes) You should be accountable for the quality of your work and will take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills. (10 codes) Codes are under 6 headings and there are 44 separate codes Intimidating Workers can be assured that they wil be meeting these codes on a daily basis through carrying out their role

Some Key Points for Registered Workers As a registered worker your behaviour outside of work may have an impact on your registration (5.8) You have a responsibility to undertake learning and improve your knowledge and skills including meeting any qualification requirement for your role (6.9) (6.10) You must follow your employers policies and procedures and keep clear and accurate records (2.7, 3.2, 3.8, 4.2, 6.1, 6.2) You must be open and honest and report when harm has occurred (2.1, 3.2, 3.6)

Fitness To Practise Model 01 November 2016 we changed from a Conduct Model to a Fitness to Practise Model in line with other regulators Fitness to practise may be impaired as a result of: Misconduct: Act or behaviour Professional Practice: Competence Health Focus is on a worker’s current fitness to practise and whether it is currently impaired Important aspect of what we do. Not punitive but a consideration as to whether a worker’s fitness to practise is currently impaired because of information received. Fairer model as previously all referrals were considered as ‘misconduct’

Misconduct Conduct is about how a worker has behaved DEFINITION Misconduct means ‘behaviour (whether by act or omission) which does not meet the standards set out in the Codes and includes a breach of a condition agreed with or imposed by a regulatory body and behaviour which has led to a criminal sanction.’

Professional Practice (Competence) Professional Practice (Competence) is about how a worker carries out their role, whereas misconduct issues are about their behaviour. Before making a referral please ensure that you have: tried to identify a possible cause for the practice concern addressed any problems formally with the worker agreed targets to address the issues identified training and support needs given the worker adequate training, support and supervision to help them reach a satisfactory standard reviewed progress against agreed targets for improvement This will be generally be over a long period of time where the worker has been supported to attempt to improve their practice but still fail to meet relevant standards. Will look at grounds for referral in more detail later in presentation

Health A worker’s fitness to practise may be impaired if they have a health condition which has an adverse effect on their ability to do their job safely and effectively. Employers remain responsible for meeting their duty of care to their worker and people who use services. You should not refer to the SSSC until you have concluded your normal employment procedures unless you believe the worker presents an immediate risk.