Equality and diversity

The Scottish Social Services Council is committed to valuing diversity and improving opportunity for all. The SSSC is responsible for registering people who work in social services and regulating their education and training. Our vision is of a competent, confident workforce, capable of delivering high quality services, a workforce that has the confidence of the public, those who use services and their carers. We aim to put service users and carers at the centre of everything we do.

In carrying out our work we believe in the importance of promoting equal opportunities. We are very aware of the benefits to our stakeholders and to the SSSC of taking positive and meaningful action on equality and diversity.

Meeting our duties

As a public body the SSSC not only has a general duty to promote equality but also has a number of specific legal duties in relation to race, disability and gender. We are required to produce an equality scheme and action plan setting out how we will comply with these duties.

Download a copy of the SSSC equality and diversity policy

Download a copy of the SSSC equality scheme

Equality scheme annual report

Download a copy of the SSSC equality scheme annual report 2007/2008

Download a copy of the SSSC equality scheme annual report 2007/2008 appendix 1-3

Download a copy of the SSSC equality scheme annual report 2007/2008 appendix 4 action plan 2009

Meeting our disability equality duties

Download a copy of the annual report for the period 2006/2007

Meeting our gender equality duties
Download a copy of the gender equality duties annual report for the period 2007/2008

Maintaining Standards: Promoting Equality

In September the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) published a new report on its final formal investigation “Maintaining Standards: Promoting Equality”. The DRC’s investigation looked into the regulation of the health of teachers, nurses and social workers.

The SSSC contributed to this formal investigation in Scotland and will work towards addressing its recommendations.

You can download a copy of the summary and full report along with other information on the investigation at: www.maintainingstandards.org

Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Equality and Human Rights Commission replaces the three former commissions: Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and build good relations ensuring everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. For further information please visit their website.

New appointment

To further our commitment to achieving greater equality as well as meeting our equality duties we have recently appointed Ross Craig as our first Equality and Diversity Officer. In collaboration with our Equalities Working Group (EWG) Ross will develop and co-ordinate our approach to the implementation of our equality duties.

Over the next year, we will be consulting with external stakeholders on a range of equality and diversity issues. If you have an interest in equalities and diversity and would like to get involved in this area of our work and/or join our stakeholder reference group, please contact:

Ross Craig

Equality and Diversity Officer

Tel: 01382 207329

Email: ross.craig@sssc.uk.com