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Conduct - an introduction
The SSSC is responsible for registering and regulating people who work in social services in Scotland. Our role is to increase protection of people who use social services, to raise standards of practice and to increase public confidence in the sector. The SSSC aims to protect people who use services and their carers by promoting high standards of conduct and by taking action where the public are at risk.
When a social service worker applies to register with the SSSC they must agree to abide by the Code of Practice for Social Service Workers which sets out the conduct expected of social service workers and informs people who use social services and the public about the standards they can expect.
Making a complaint about a social service worker
The SSSC can investigate the conduct of registered social service workers. When an allegation of misconduct comes to our attention, we will consider whether there is a question about a social service worker’s suitability to remain on the Register.
You can download the complaint form here.
You can download the complaint guidance here.
The SSSC Conduct Rules and the Scheme of Delegation give the SSSC discretion not to refer a complaint about a registered social service worker to a Preliminary Proceedings Sub-committee.
An SSSC policy sets out a clear framework within which this discretion will be exercised by officers. The policy was developed in order to ensure that the SSSC operates in a transparent and accountable manner and is in a position to explain its decisions in line with this framework. Please click here to view the Officer discretion in referring to complaints to a Preliminary Proceedings Sub-committee.
You can download a copy of the leaflet What happens when a complaint is made to the SSSC about a registered worker here.
Conduct Hearings
Conduct hearing scheduled - 7 and 8 October 2008
A Hearing into the conduct of a registered social worker by the SSSC Conduct Sub-committee is due to take place on 7 and 8 October 2008. The hearing will begin at 10.00am on 7 October 2008 at the offices of the SSSC, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY.
The Conduct Sub-committee will consider if the social worker committed misconduct - it is alleged that he breached paragraph 5 and in particular 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.7 and 5.8 of the SSSC Code of Practice for Social Service Workers, which would call into question his suitability to work in social services. The charges relate to the worker’s inappropriate visits to a service user, repeated breaches of management instructions and lack of professional boundaries.
A Conduct hearings is normally held in public unless it is to be held under the health procedure because of the registrant’s physical or mental health, or the Sub-committee agrees to hold it in private because of, for example, the vulnerability of witnesses. For the present case an application will be made to the Conduct Sub-committee asking for the case to be heard in private due to the vulnerability of a witness.
Attending Conduct Hearings held in public
Members of the public wishing to attend a conduct hearing should contact Audrey Wallace, Committee Services Administrator on 01382 207212 or
audrey.wallace@sssc.uk.com
Media wishing to attend a conduct hearing
Please view guidance for media wishing to attend Conduct Hearings by clicking the link below.
SSSC Conduct Hearings: guidelines for media wishing to attend
Outcome of Conduct Hearings
Outcome of Conduct Sub-committee held on 21 February 2008
The SSSC Conduct Sub-committee held on 21 February 2008 held that Jacqueline McIlhargey, registration number 1037951 committed misconduct. An order was made for her removal from the register maintained by the Council under section 44 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001. The period for appeal to the sheriff at Dundee Sheriff Court has expired and no appeal has been lodged. The order came into effect on 17 March 2008. Jacqueline McIlhargey was registered on the part of the register for social workers.
Outcome of Conduct Sub-committee held on 14 and 15 November and 18 December 2007
The SSSC Conduct Sub-committee held on 14 and 15 November and 18 December 2007 found that Charles Paul Irvin, registration number 1099051, had committed misconduct. An order was made for his removal from the register maintained by the Council under section 44 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001. The period for appeal to the sheriff at Dundee Sheriff Court has expired and no appeal has been lodged. The order came into effect on 5 January 2008. Charles Irvin was registered on the part of the register for social workers.
Outcome of Conduct Sub-committee held on 3 and 4 December 2007
The SSSC Conduct Sub-committee held on 3 and 4 December 2007 found that Adesola Fakolujo, registration number 1130190, had committed misconduct. An order was made for her removal from the register maintained by the Council under section 44 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001. The period for appeal to the sheriff at Dundee Sheriff Court has expired and no appeal has been lodged. The order came into effect on 22 December 2007. Adesola Fakolujo was registered in the part of the register for social work students.
Outcome of Conduct Sub-committee held on 23 and 24 October 2007
The SSSC Conduct Sub-committee held on 23 and 24 October 2007 found that social worker Carole Caithness, registration number 1107753, had committed misconduct and an order was made for her suspension from the Register of social service workers in Scotland, for the remainder of her current registration which expires on 19 December 2008. The order was appealed to the sheriff at Dundee Sheriff Court. The appeal was refused and the order therefore came into effect on 25 July 2008.
Outcome of Conduct Sub-committee held on 27 September 2006
The SSSC Conduct Sub-committee met on 27 September 2006 and found that Mark Cambridge, a registered social worker, registration number 1094791, had committed misconduct on two counts. An order was made for his removal from the register maintained by the Council under section 44 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001. No appeal has been lodged and his name has been removed from the Register.