What action should employers take if they are concerned about, or have taken action over, the conduct of a registered social worker?
As an employer of social care workers you are required under the GSCC Codes of Practice for the employers of social care workers to:
- inform the GSCC about any conduct by registered social care worker that might affect their registration;
- inform the worker 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 worker promptly in these circumstances:
- if a worker is dismissed;
- if a worker resigns during a disciplinary investigation;
- if a worker is suspended pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation;
- if the employer becomes aware of a criminal charge or conviction against the worker;
- any other circumstance which the employer feels may have a bearing on the worker’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 worker's name and work address
- 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 enquiry into the matter you are referring to us (this could also apply where certain other enquiries are ongoing such as a police enquiry).
This means that the GSCC will hold the information and stay in regular contact with you as the employer and, if applicable, the organisation or body undertaking the enquiry. We will not normally make a decision on how we will proceed until the enquiry 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.