Greater public protection with new codes of practice for social services

Monday, September 23, 2002

Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Education and Young People unveiled today, 23 September, the first ever codes of practice for social service workers and employers in Scotland.

The UK wide codes of practice, developed by the Scottish Social Services Council and the other regulatory councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are seen as a crucial part of raising standards in social services. They set down what standards of conduct people can expect from social service workers and their employers.

Social workers, care workers, child protection staff, residential workers and care home managers are amongst the estimated 100,000 social service workers in Scotland who will be expected to adhere to the new codes. The codes were developed through extensive consultation with people working in the sector, their employers, people who use social services and their carers and have been welcomed by the sector.

Ms Jamieson said: "I want to see consistently high standards across all social care services. These codes of practice will increase protection for service users, strengthen the professionalism of the workforce, and support staff. They mark a welcome step forward in creating a competent and confident social services workforce, delivering quality services fit for the 21st century."

Morag Alexander, Convener of the Scottish Social Services Council said: "Thousands of people throughout Scotland use social services every day and many vulnerable children, adults and older people rely on the professional skills, honesty and integrity of social service workers to provide support at times of difficulty. "These codes set a clear benchmark. Building on the sound shared values of the profession and coupled with registration, they will raise standards and increase public protection. They have been developed with the sole aim of promoting the best possible services."

Jim Dickie, President of the Association of Directors of Social Work said: "Social Work Directors in Scotland welcome this development. It is a major milestone in raising standards in the profession. The codes of practice are an important contribution to improving the status and morale of the profession and they will further protect the public."

Joe Di Paola, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for Local Government said: "UNISON welcomes the establishment of the Scottish Social Services Council. Its codes will protect users of Social Work and Early Years services, the most vulnerable in society, young and old. The Council's activities will also promote the highest standards of practice among those who work with vulnerable clients in Scotland. It should enhance the status of care workers and hopefully ensure their work is properly valued."

Brian Emmerson from the Barnardo's Shield Project said: "'As a qualified social worker and manager in a large voluntary organisation and having read the codes of practice I believe that this is an opportunity for my profession to have a concrete and transparent way of working with members of the community. The codes of practice make it clear what service users and carers can expect from me and also from my employers. I see the codes as being an important step in taking forward the invaluable work we do throughout the caring professions."

The Scottish Social Services Council and its partner Councils across the UK are the first independent bodies to regulate social service workers. It is hoped that regulation of the profession will raise public perception and give equivalent status to colleagues in similar professions. The codes of practice can be accessed through the Scottish Social Services Council website.