Our future proofing programme is a major piece of work covering three interconnected projects.

The projects under review are:

• our Register
• qualifications and skills
• the SSSC Codes of Practice.

Our vision for the programme is that being registered with the SSSC is simple, easy to understand and that people know about the benefits and value of being registered and the standards, skills and qualifications needed to deliver high quality care. 

The programme started in December 2021 and is expected to conclude in 2023.

A Register, qualifications and skills for the future

We consulted on our proposed changes to the Register and qualifications at the start of 2022 and are currently analysing the responses. These changes include:

• reducing the number of different parts of the Register 
• reviewing the time given for people to apply for registration when they start a new social care or early years job 
• updating and streamlining the processes for applying and renewing registration
• changing the information about registrants which the public sees when they search the Register on our website 
• bringing in an ongoing registration period 
• making qualifications more flexible so people can move more easily to work in different kinds of services  
• changing the level of the qualification required for people working as support workers in adult social care 
• reviewing the length of time registrants are given to complete their qualifications for registration 
• developing return to practice standards for social workers and, potentially, other registrants
• changing the continuous professional learning (CPL) requirements to include mandatory learning and skills development. 

You can read more about the recent consultation on our Register for the future page.

Codes of Practice

Working with the social work, social care and early years sector we are reviewing the Codes of Practice for workers and employers to make sure they:

• reflect the expectations of us as a regulator, the workforce, employers and people who use services 
 
• align with the Health and Social Care Standards  
• reflect changing care models 
• support risk enablement and professional judgement.  

We’ll consult on the revised Codes of Practice later in 2022.