The Register of Social Service Workers in Scotland opened on 1 April 2003.

Registration is a major part of the drive for higher standards in social services and is bringing this workforce in line with other professional colleagues. Nursing, medicine and teaching are all regulated professions and workers have to register with their own regulatory bodies to be able to work in their field.


In September 2005 it became mandatory for social workers to be registered with the SSSC.

To register as a social worker you must satisfy the criteria for registration. This includes holding the Honours Degree in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) or equivalent and being able to evidence good character.

New recruits

New legislation means that where a person commences employment in the position of a social worker for the first time on or after 1st April 2009 they should apply for registration as soon as reasonably practicable upon commencing that employment and shall have a period of 6 months, starting on the commencement date of that employment to achieve registration. A new worker can work whilst their application is being processed. 

Social workers registered with other UK Care Councils

From 1 April 2009 any social worker working in Scotland is required to registered with the SSSC.  Any social worker registered with one of the Care Councils listed below has six months from the date they commence employment in Scotland to achieve registration with the SSSC.

• General Social Care Council
• Care Council for Wales
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council

The Scottish Government decides which groups of workers the SSSC will register and in what order the SSSC will register them. A formal Commencement Order is laid before the Scottish Parliament to open each part of the Register.

To obtain an application pack you can

Telephone: Lo-call 0845 60 30 891 (select option 1)
Email: registration@sssc.uk.com


The information below is useful for social workers

• Codes of Practice
• Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL)
• Fees
• Social workers with international qualifications
• Your professional conduct
• Registration for workers from the European Economic Area (EEA)* or Switzerland

*(or someone who is entitled to be treated as an EEA national under EU law)

The SSSC’s online registration system

Once registered, you can manage your registration online. Managing your account online is quick, simple and convenient. You can:

• view your registration number
• pay your annual fees online
• update your personal details
• find out the date to renew your registration
• view what part(s) of the Register you are registered
• view the status of your registration

Click here to find out more or log in

If you would like more information about online services, or want to use our online services but do not have a secure access code, please contact us at registration@sssc.uk.com

We will keep you informed

You can keep up-to-date with developments about registration, news from the SSSC and the social services sector by subscribing to our monthly eBulletin, SSSC News or checking this website.

To subscribe to the monthly eBulletin email enquiries@sssc.uk.com

To subscribe to the quarterly newsletter click here.