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Higher Education Institutions' responsibilities

What action should a Higher Education Institution (HEI) take if they are concerned about, or have taken action over, the conduct of a registered social work student?

Social care education providers must be approved by the SSSC and as part of that approval must:

  • inform the SSSC about any conduct by registered social work students that might affect their registration
  • inform the student that a report has been made to the SSSC
  • co-operate with the SSSC's investigations and hearings
  • respond appropriately to the findings and decisions of the SSSC and co-operate with any action taken by the SSSC.

When should the SSSC be informed about conduct issues?

You should tell us about a case relating to a registered social work student promptly in the following circumstances:

  • if a student has their place on the course withdrawn
  • if a student withdraws from a social work programme during a disciplinary investigation
  • if a student is suspended from a social work programme pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation
  • when the HEI becomes aware of a criminal charge or conviction against the student
  • any other circumstance which the HEI feels may have a bearing on the student's registration, for example, where a registrant's children have been made the subject of a child protection plan or child care proceedings.

It is important that you notify the SSSC as soon as possible about such matters. To do so, please download and complete the SSSC employer referral form and either email conduct@sssc.uk.com or post it to:

The Conduct Department
Scottish Social Services Council
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee DD1 4NY

The SSSC may decide to defer making a decision on how we will proceed until your own inquiry is completed for example, where there is an ongoing disciplinary inquiry into the matter you are referring to us (this could also apply where certain other inquiries are ongoing such as those involving the police).

This means that the SSSC will hold the information and stay in regular contact with you as the HEI and, if applicable, the organisation or body undertaking the inquiry. 

We will always consider whether there is a need to apply for an Interim Suspension Order (ISO) from the point at which we receive a referral until a case is closed. An ISO temporarily suspends a registrant from the Register. The SSSC can apply for an ISO at any point in the process where we feel that it is needed for the protection of the public, in the public interest, or in the interests of the registrant.

Download further information Guidance for Higher Education Institutions on conduct referrals

If you are unsure whether it is appropriate to tell the SSSC about a case, you can seek general advice by contacting the conduct department on 0845 60 30  891 or by email conduct@sssc.uk.com

 

Conduct Reports

The SSSC has published Protecting the Public, a conduct report about the SSSC's work in relation to initial and continued suitability for registration:

Click to download our Conduct Report for 2009/10

Conduct report 2009/2010
(282.67 kB)

Older reports

Registration and Conduct Rules

The Registration Rules explain how social service workers are placed on the Register. The Conduct Rules set down how we will investigate and hold hearings about allegations of misconduct against registrants.

Please click to view the Registration Rules and Conduct Rules.

Sanctions Guidance

This guidance aims to assist Conduct Sub-committees in deciding which sanction to impose on a finding of misconduct and assists Preliminary Proceedings Sub-committees when considering if an Interim Order should be imposed. The Guidance will apply to any case referred to a Conduct hearing or Preliminary Proceedings Sub-committee hearing from 27 March 2012.

Indicative Sanctions Guidance

For any case referred to a Conduct hearing or Preliminary Proceedings Sub-committee hearing before 27 March 2012, the previous Indicative Sanctions Guidance will apply.