Codes of Practice
for Social Care Workers and Employers of Social Care Workers
Codes of Practice in:
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Source: General Social Care Council
Employers of social care workers
Introduction
This document contains agreed codes of practice for social care workers and
employers of social care workers describing the standards of conduct and
practice within which they should work. This introduction, which is also
reproduced in the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers, is intended to
help you understand what the codes are for and what they will mean to you as
a social care worker, employer, service user or member of the public.
The General Social Care Council began its work on 1 October 2001, at the
same time as the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, the Scottish Social
Services Council, and the Care Council for Wales. The Councils have a duty
to develop codes of practice and have worked together in developing these
codes as part of their contribution to raising standards in social care
services.
The two codes for workers and employers are presented together in this
document because they are complementary and mirror the joint
responsibilities of employers and workers in ensuring high standards.
What are the codes?
The Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers sets down the
responsibilities of employers in the regulation of social care workers. This
is the first time that such standards have been set out at national level.
The code requires that employers adhere to the standards set out in their
code, support social care workers in meeting their code and take appropriate
action when workers do not meet expected standards of conduct.
The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers is a list of statements that
describe the standards of professional conduct and practice required of
social care workers as they go about their daily work. Again, this is the
first time that standards have been set in this way at national level,
although many employers have similar standards in place at local level. The
intention is to confirm the standards required in social care and ensure
that workers know what standards of conduct employers, colleagues, service
users, carers and the public expect of them.
The codes are intended to reflect existing good practice and it is
anticipated that workers and employers will recognise in the codes the
shared standards to which they already aspire. The Councils will promote
these standards through making the codes widely available.
How will the codes be used?
The codes are a key step in the introduction of a system of regulation for
social care in the four countries of the UK. The Councils are responsible
for the registration of those working in social care. The register will be a
public record that those registered have met the requirements for entry onto
the register and have agreed to abide by the standards set out in the Code
of Practice for Social Care Workers.
The Councils will take account of the standards set in the Code of Practice
for Social Care Workers in considering issues of misconduct and decisions as
to whether a registered worker should remain on the register.
Search the Social Care Register You can use this page to check a social
workers registration.
http://www.gscc.org.uk/ The Social Care Register
What will the codes mean to you?
As a social care worker you will have criteria to guide your practice and be
clear about what standards of conduct you are expected to meet. You are
encouraged to use the codes to examine your own practice and to look for
areas in which you can improve.
As a social care employer you will know what part you are expected to play
in the regulation of the workforce and the support of high quality social
care. You are encouraged to review your own standards of practice and
policies in the light of the standards set in the code.
As a user of services or member of the public the codes will help you
understand how a social care worker should behave towards you and how
employers should support social care workers to do their jobs well.
Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers
The purpose of this code is to set down the responsibilities of employers in
regulating social care workers. The purpose of workforce regulation is to
protect and promote the interests of service users and carers. The code is
intended to complement rather than replace or duplicate existing employers’
policies and it forms part of the wider package of legislation, requirements
and guidance that relate to the employment of staff. Employers are
responsible for making sure that they meet the standards set out in this
code, provide high quality services and promote public trust and confidence
in social care services.
Status
The National Care Standards Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate
will take this code into account in their enforcement of care standards.
To meet their responsibilities in relation to regulating the social care
workforce, social care employers must:
• Make sure people are suitable to enter the workforce and understand their
roles and responsibilities;
• Have written policies and procedures in place to enable social care
workers to meet the General Social Care Council (GSCC) Code of Practice for
Social Care Workers;
• Provide training and development opportunities to enable social care
workers to strengthen and develop their skills and knowledge;
• Put in place and implement written policies and procedures to deal with
dangerous, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour and practice; and
• Promote the GSCC’s codes of practice to social care workers, service users
and carers and co-operate with the GSCC’s proceedings.
1 As a social care employer, you must make sure people are suitable to enter
the social care workforce and understand their roles and responsibilities.
This includes:
1.1 Using rigorous and thorough recruitment and selection processes focused
on making sure that only people who have the appropriate knowledge and
skills and who are suitable to provide social care are allowed to enter your
workforce;
1.2 Checking criminal records, relevant registers and indexes and assessing
whether people are capable of carrying out the duties of the job they have
been selected for before confirming appointments;
1.3 Seeking and providing reliable references;
1.4 Giving staff clear information about their roles and responsibilities,
relevant legislation and the organisational policies and procedures they
must follow in their work; and
1.5 Managing the performance of staff and the organisation to ensure high
quality services and care.
2 As a social care employer, you must have written policies and procedures
in place to enable social care workers to meet the GSCC’s Code of Practice
for Social Care Workers.
This includes:
2.1 Implementing and monitoring written policies on: confidentiality; equal
opportunities; risk assessment; substance abuse; record keeping; and the
acceptance of money or personal gifts from service users or carers;
2.2 Effectively managing and supervising staff to support effective practice
and good conduct and supporting staff to address deficiencies in their
performance;
2.3 Having systems in place to enable social care workers to report
inadequate resources or operational difficulties which might impede the
delivery of safe care and working with them and relevant authorities to
address those issues; and
2.4 Supporting social care workers to meet the GSCC’s Code of Practice for
Social Care Workers and not requiring them to do anything that would put
their compliance with that code at risk.
3 As a social care employer, you must provide training and development
opportunities to enable social care workers to strengthen and develop their
skills and knowledge.
This includes:
3.1 Providing induction, training and development opportunities to help
social care workers do their jobs effectively and prepare for new and
changing roles and responsibilities;
3.2 Contributing to the provision of social care and social work education
and training, including effective workplace assessment and practice
learning;
3.3 Supporting staff in posts subject to registration to meet the GSCC’s
eligibility criteria for registration and its requirements for continuing
professional development; and
3.4 Responding appropriately to social care workers who seek assistance
because they do not feel able or adequately prepared to carry out any
aspects of their work.
4 As a social care employer, you must put into place and implement written
policies and procedures to deal with dangerous, discriminatory or
exploitative behaviour and practice.
This includes:
4.1 Making it clear to social care workers that bullying, harassment or any
form of unjustifiable discrimination is not acceptable and taking action to
deal with such behaviour;
4.2 Establishing and promoting procedures for social care workers to report
dangerous, discriminatory, abusive or exploitative behaviour and practice
and dealing with these reports promptly, effectively and openly;
4.3 Making it clear to social care workers, service users and carers that
violence, threats or abuse to staff are not acceptable and having clear
policies and procedures for minimising the risk of violence and managing
violent incidents;
4.4 Supporting social care workers who experience trauma or violence in
their work;
4.5 Putting in place and implementing written policies and procedures that
promote staff welfare and equal opportunities for workers; and
4.6 While ensuring that the care and safety of service users is your
priority, providing appropriate assistance to social care workers whose work
is affected by ill health or dependency on drugs and alcohol, and giving
clear guidance about any limits on their work while they are receiving
treatment.
5 As a social care employer, you must promote the GSCC’s codes of practice
to social care workers, service users and carers and co-operate with the
GSCC’s proceedings.
This includes:
5.1 Informing social care workers about this code and your responsibility to
comply with it;
5.2 Informing social care workers about the GSCC’s Code of Practice for
Social Care Workers and their personal responsibility to meet that code;
5.3 Making service users and carers aware of this code and the Code of
Practice for Social Care Workers and informing them about how to raise
issues through your policies and, if necessary, contact the GSCC in relation
to the codes;
5.4 Taking account of the GSCC’s Code of Practice for Social Care Workers in
making any decision that relates to the conduct of workers;
5.5 Informing the GSCC about any misconduct by registered social care
workers that might call into question their registration and inform the
worker involved that a report has been made to the GSCC; and
5.6 Co-operating with GSCC investigations and hearings and responding
appropriately to the findings and decisions of the GSCC.
Social care workers
Introduction
This document contains agreed codes of practice for social care workers and
employers of social care workers describing the standards of conduct and
practice within which they should work. This introduction, which is also
reproduced in the Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers, is
intended to help you understand what the codes are for and what they will
mean to you as a social care worker, employer, service user or member of the
public.
The General Social Care Council began its work on 1 October 2001, at the
same time as the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, the Scottish Social
Services Council, and the Care Council for Wales. The Councils have a duty
to develop codes of practice and have worked together in developing these
codes as part of their contribution to raising standards in social care
services.
The two codes for workers and employers are presented together in this
document because they are complementary and mirror the joint
responsibilities of employers and workers in ensuring high standards.
What are the codes?
The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers is a list of statements that
describe the standards of professional conduct and practice required of
social care workers as they go about their daily work. This is the first
time that standards have been set in this way at national level, although
many employers have similar standards in place at local level. The intention
is to confirm the standards required in social care and ensure that workers
know what standards of conduct employers, colleagues, service users, carers
and the public expect of them.
The Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers sets down the
responsibilities of employers in the regulation of social care workers.
Again, this is the first time that such standards have been set out at
national level. The code requires that employers adhere to the standards set
out in their code, support social care workers in meeting their code and
take appropriate action when workers do not meet expected standards of
conduct.
The codes are intended to reflect existing good practice and it is
anticipated that workers and employers will recognise in the codes the
shared standards to which they already aspire. The Councils will promote
these standards through making the codes widely available.
How will the codes be used?
The codes are a key step in the introduction of a system of regulation for
social care in the four countries of the UK. The Councils are responsible
for the registration of those working in social care. The register will be a
public record that those registered have met the requirements for entry onto
the register and have agreed to abide by the standards set out in the Code
of Practice for Social Care Workers.
The Councils will take account of the standards set in the Code of Practice
for Social Care Workers in considering issues of misconduct and decisions as
to whether a registered worker should remain on the register.
What will the codes mean to you?
As a social care worker you will have criteria to guide your practice and be
clear about what standards of conduct you are expected to meet. You are
encouraged to use the codes to examine your own practice and to look for
areas in which you can improve.
As a social care employer you will know what part you are expected to play
in the regulation of the workforce and the support of high quality social
care. You are encouraged to review your own standards of practice and
policies in the light of the standards set in the code.
As a user of services or member of the public the codes will help you
understand how a social care worker should behave towards you and how
employers should support social care workers to do their jobs well.
Code of Practice for Social Care Workers
The purpose of this code is to set out the conduct that is expected of
social care workers and to inform service users and the public about the
standards of conduct they can expect from social care workers. It forms part
of the wider package of legislation, practice standards and employers’
policies and procedures that social care workers must meet. Social care
workers are responsible for making sure that their conduct does not fall
below the standards set out in this code and that no action or omission on
their part harms the wellbeing of service users.
Status
The General Social Care Council expects social care workers to meet this
code and may take action if registered workers fail to do so.
Employers of social care workers are required to take account of this code
in making any decisions about the conduct of their staff.
Social care workers must:
• Protect the rights and promote the interests of service users and carers;
• Strive to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of service users
and carers;
• Promote the independence of service users while
protecting them as far as possible from danger or harm;
• Respect the rights of service users whilst seeking to ensure that their
behaviour does not harm themselves or other people;
• Uphold public trust and confidence in social care services; and
• Be accountable for the quality of their work and take responsibility for
maintaining and improving their knowledge and skills.
1 As a social care worker, you must protect the rights and promote the
interests of service users and carers.
This includes:
1.1 Treating each person as an individual;
1.2 Respecting and, where appropriate, promoting the
individual views and wishes of both service users and carers;
1.3 Supporting service users’ rights to control their lives and make
informed choices about the services they receive;
1.4 Respecting and maintaining the dignity and privacy of service users;
1.5 Promoting equal opportunities for service users and carers; and
1.6 Respecting diversity and different cultures and values.
2 As a social care worker, you must strive to establish and maintain the
trust and confidence of service users and carers.
This includes:
2.1 Being honest and trustworthy;
2.2 Communicating in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way;
2.3 Respecting confidential information and clearly explaining agency
policies about confidentiality to service users and carers;
2.4 Being reliable and dependable;
2.5 Honouring work commitments, agreements and arrangements and, when it is
not possible to do so, explaining why to service users and carers;
2.6 Declaring issues that might create conflicts of interest and making sure
that they do not influence your judgement or practice; and
2.7 Adhering to policies and procedures about accepting gifts and money from
service users and carers.
3 As a social care worker, you must promote the independence of service
users while protecting them as far as possible from danger or harm.
This includes:
3.1 Promoting the independence of service users and assisting them to
understand and exercise their rights;
3.2 Using established processes and procedures to challenge and report
dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour and practice;
3.3 Following practice and procedures designed to keep you and other people
safe from violent and abusive behaviour at work;
3.4 Bringing to the attention of your employer or the appropriate authority
resource or operational difficulties that might get in the way of the
delivery of safe care;
3.5 Informing your employer or an appropriate authority where the practice
of colleagues may be unsafe or adversely affecting standards of care;
3.6 Complying with employers’ health and safety policies, including those
relating to substance abuse;
3.7 Helping service users and carers to make complaints, taking complaints
seriously and responding to them or passing them to the appropriate person;
and
3.8 Recognising and using responsibly the power that comes from your work
with service users and carers.
4 As a social care worker, you must respect the rights of service users
while seeking to ensure that their behaviour does not harm themselves or
other people.
This includes:
4.1 Recognising that service users have the right to take risks and helping
them to identify and manage potential and actual risks to themselves and
others;
4.2 Following risk assessment policies and procedures to assess whether the
behaviour of service users presents a risk of harm to themselves or others;
4.3 Taking necessary steps to minimise the risks of service users from doing
actual or potential harm to themselves or other people; and
4.4 Ensuring that relevant colleagues and agencies are informed about the
outcomes and implications of risk assessments.
As a social care worker, you must uphold public trust and confidence in
social care services.
In particular you must not:
5.1 Abuse, neglect or harm service users, carers or colleagues;
5.2 Exploit service users, carers or colleagues in any way;
5.3 Abuse the trust of service users and carers or the access you have to
personal information about them or to their property, home or workplace;
5.4 Form inappropriate personal relationships with service users;
5.5 Discriminate unlawfully or unjustifiably against service users, carers
or colleagues;
5.6 Condone any unlawful or unjustifiable discrimination by service users,
carers or colleagues;
5.7 Put yourself or other people at unnecessary risk; or
5.8 Behave in a way, in work or outside work, which would call into question
your suitability to work in social care services.
6 As a social care worker, you must be accountable for the quality of your
work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge
and skills.
This includes:
6.1 Meeting relevant standards of practice and working in a lawful, safe and
effective way;
6.2 Maintaining clear and accurate records as required by procedures
established for your work;
6.3 Informing your employer or the appropriate authority about any personal
difficulties that might affect your ability to do your job competently and
safely;
6.4 Seeking assistance from your employer or the appropriate authority if
you do not feel able or adequately prepared to carry out any aspect of your
work, or you are not sure about how to proceed in a work matter;
6.5 Working openly and co-operatively with colleagues and treating them with
respect;
6.6 Recognising that you remain responsible for the work that you have
delegated to other workers;
6.7 Recognising and respecting the roles and expertise of workers from other
agencies and working in partnership with them; and
Undertaking relevant training to maintain and improve your knowledge and
skills and contributing to the learning and development of others.
General Social Care Council
Goldings House
2 Hay’s Lane
London
SE1 2HB
020 7397 5100
www.gscc.org.uk
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