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 are required, under the Suitability for social work guidance and the GSCC Codes of Practice for the employers of social care workers, to:
- inform the GSCC about any conduct by registered social work students that might affect their registration;
- inform the student that a report has been made to the GSCC;
- co-operate with the GSCC’s investigations and hearings; and
- respond appropriately to the findings and decisions of the GSCC and co-operate with any action taken by the GSCC.
When should the GSCC 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- if a student has their place on the course withdrawn;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.
You can make a referral to the GSCC by writing to us at the General Social Care Council Conduct Referrals Team, Myson House, Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3HT
When making a referral you will need to provide us with:
- the social work student's name (and work address if known and applicable)
- details of the alleged misconduct providing as much detail as possible
- copies of any supporting documents
The GSCC may decide to ‘defer’ cases 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 GSCC 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 not normally make a decision on how we will proceed until the inquiry is completed.
We will always consider whether there is a need to apply for an interim suspension order from the point at which we receive a referral until a case is closed. An interim suspension order temporarily suspends a registrant from the social care register. The GSCC can apply for an interim suspension order 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.
If you are unsure whether it is appropriate to tell the GSCC about a case, you can seek general advice by contacting us.