Consultation closed
Introduction
Why have we revised the Codes?
What’s changed in the Codes?
Respond to the consultation
Join one of our consultation focus groups?
What happens after the consultation closes?
Future Proofing Programme
Introduction
This Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) consultation is on the revised Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers.
We want to hear views from the social work, social care and children and young people workforce and employers, as well as people who use services, their families and carers and other stakeholders in the responses to this consultation.
Why have we revised the Codes?
We last updated the Codes in 2016 and there have been lots of changes since then that mean the time is right to review and update the Codes to make sure they are fit for the future.
Over the last seven years we’ve welcomed new groups on to our Register and the way care is delivered has changed. This review also gives us the chance to make sure the Codes align with national standards and frameworks including the Health and Social Care Standards and take account of the learning and recommendations from national reviews.
What’s changed in the Codes?
When we spoke to workers, employers and stakeholders last year as part of the Codes review engagement, you told us there was lots you liked about the Codes and also that some changes were needed.
We used that feedback to inform the revised Codes of Practice that we are now consulting on. The main changes to the Codes are:
- updated language
- strengthening and reflecting developments in current practice
- rights and relationships
- de-cluttering and streamlining.
Respond to the consultation
The consultation opens on 14 April and closes at 5pm on 7 July 2023.
You should download a copy of the revised Codes and have it to hand when answering the consultation questions. There are eight main questions we’d like your views on, some general and others on the workers or employers Codes.
Download the revised Code of Practice for Social Service Workers here.
Download the revised Code of Practice for Social Service Employers here.
You have until 5pm on Friday 7 July 2023 to respond to the consultation.
We ask if you are responding as someone on our Register, a service employer or provider, a training or learning provider, a member of the public, someone who uses social services or on behalf of another organisation. You will then see the survey questions.
We don’t ask for your name or other personal information. If you reply on behalf of a service or other organisation, we ask for the name of the service or organisation.
What happens after the consultation closes?
We’ll analyse all the consultation responses and feedback from the events to inform any final changes to the revised Codes of Practice. We plan to ask our Council to approve the revised Codes at their November meeting.
If the revised Codes are approved, we aim to launch in April 2024. We’ll keep you up to date with our plans and all you need to know in our newsletters and on our website.
Future Proofing Programme
The Codes review is part of our wider Future Proofing Programme, which includes proposed changes to our Register and qualifications for registration.
If you have any questions about the Codes consultation or the review, please email Codes@sssc.uk.com