Media releases
Find below links to the latest media releases and statements announcing important GSCC work. There are also links to archived releases by year.
New national curriculum needed for social work degrees
18/06/2009
A new national curriculum should be put in place for social work degree courses to improve quality and so that employers can be clearer about what to expect from newly qualified social workers, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' has said.
Social worker disciplined by profession’s regulatory body
21/05/2009
A former Warrington Borough Council social worker has been disciplined by the profession’s regulatory body, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', for inviting a mother and her children into her home to conclude a formal meeting.
GSCC statement on the Government’s response to Lord Laming
06/05/2009
Rosie Varley, Chair of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' said:
“We welcome the Taskforce’s practical focus on what is preventing social workers doing the job and the initial observations about areas for reform.
Social worker removed from register after inappropriate relationship
30/04/2009
A man who fathered two children with a vulnerable user of services 'referred to as ‘Ms X’' has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
People who use home care to benefit from regulation of workers, say GSCC
23/04/2009
People who are cared for in their home will receive a higher quality of care from better skilled and more competent staff, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' said today following the announcement that home care workers will start to register with the regulator from 2010.
Looked-after Children report – GSCC response
20/04/2009
Commenting on the Looked-after Children report from the Children, Schools andFamilies Committee, Mike Wardle, Chief Executive of the General Social CareCouncil 'GSCC', said:
“Those who work in social care have a crucially important role to play in ensuring that all looked-after children get the help and support they need to give them the best possible start in life.
90 referrals ignored by social worker meant children put at risk
09/04/2009
A social worker has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' after being found to have put children at risk by failing to allocate 90 cases.
Social worker struck off after stealing money from service user
08/04/2009
A woman convicted of stealing money from a vulnerable service user has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker’s own children placed on at risk register
06/04/2009
A woman has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' after her own children were considered at risk of abuse and put on the Child Protection Register.
Regulator admonishes social worker following assault
31/03/2009
A Bournemouth social worker who was involved in domestic violence has been disciplined by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker removed from register after inappropriate relationship
30/03/2009
A man who fathered two children with a vulnerable user of services 'referred to as ‘Ms X’' has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Convicted sex offender banned from practicing as social worker
27/03/2009
A man convicted of having sex with an underage girl has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker cleared of misconduct
25/03/2009
A social worker from London has been cleared of misconduct by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Bucks social worker admonished for inappropriate conduct
20/03/2009
A social worker from Stoke Mandeville has been formally admonished after a conduct committee found that he had sexually assaulted women at a trade union residential event.
Social worker disciplined for dishonest behaviour
18/03/2009
A social worker has been disciplined by the profession’s regulatory body after being found to have taken up another job while on paid compassionate leave from her employer.
Lord Laming’s focus on social workers and their skills and support welcomed by regulator
12/03/2009
Lord Laming’s focus on social workers and their skills and support welcomed by regulator
The General Social Care Council 'GSCC' today praised Lord Laming for highlighting the importance of training and support for social workers and the pivotal role played by those who employ them.
GSCC announces review of social work education powers
04/02/2009
The General Social Care Council 'GSCC' announced today that it is reviewing its powers to inspect social work degree courses as part of a number of steps aimed at strengthening the education and training on offer to social workers.
Social work students amongst most diverse, but concerns raised over progress
04/02/2009
Social work students amongst most diverse, but concerns raised over progress
People from ethnic minority backgrounds are increasingly more likely to study social work, new research commissioned by the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' has found.
Convicted sex offender removed from Social Care Register
26/01/2009
A man convicted of possessing and distributing indecent images of children has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
New Year honours for General Social Care Council leaders
05/01/2009
Two Council members from the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' have been recognised in the New Years Honours list.
Government’s social work plans welcomed by regulator
11/12/2008
The General Social Care Council 'GSCC' today welcomed the publication of the children’s workforce strategy and its particular emphasis on social work.
Social worker’s registration removed following relationship with client
03/12/2008
A social worker has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent panel of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' after being found to have engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with a person who uses services.
Former children’s home boss removed from social work profession
25/11/2008
A social worker who was in charge of a Birmingham children’s home in the seventies and eighties has been removed from the Social Care Register after being found to have carried out inappropriate physical examinations of children during his time there.
Regulator of social workers comments on Baby P case
13/11/2008
The General Social Care Council 'GSCC' today announced that it is conducting preliminary enquiries into the actions of social workers involved in the Baby P case.
GSCC recognises the outstanding achievement of Truro care project
10/11/2008
The General Social Care Council has congratulated the winner of an award acknowledging innovation in social care training.
Social worker suspended after pursuing vulnerable women
07/11/2008
A social worker from London has been suspended by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' for one year after being found to have pursued two vulnerable women who used services.
GSCC to oversee training of Approved Mental Health Professionals
29/10/2008
Training for the newly created multi-disciplinary role of Approved Mental Health Professional 'AMHP' will be overseen by the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', following recent changes to mental health legislation.
Social work degree under spotlight in new research from GSCC
17/10/2008
Employers have called on universities to do more to involve them in preparing social work students for practice, in new research published today by the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
GSCC welcomes launch of new social care skills academy
07/10/2008
The General Social Care Council 'GSCC' today welcomed the launch of the National Skills Academy for Social Care, saying that employers must make the provision of training for their workers ‘a priority’.
New General Social Care Council Chair announced
06/10/2008
Rosie Varley OBE is to be the new Chair of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', replacing Sir Rodney Brooke, who is retiring after seven years in the role.
Essex social worker found to have committed misconduct
30/09/2008
A social worker from Benfleet who worked whilst temporarily excluded from the Social Care Register has been suspended for 18 months by an independent panel of the General Social Care Council, the workforce regulator.
Social worker removed from register for placing children at risk
19/09/2008
A social worker from Nottingham has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' for prolonged and repeated breaches of the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers, which placed vulnerable people, particularly children, at risk.
Social workers ‘ideally fitted’ to making personalised services a reality, GSCC tells government
17/09/2008
Social workers are ideally placed to offer the support, brokerage and advocacy roles which will come about as part of the move towards greater choice and control for service users, whilst continuing their vital role in safeguarding those who are vulnerable, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' said today.
GSCC diversity consultation focus group on 17 October in London
17/09/2008
The General Social Care Council is inviting registrants to share their views on how the GSCC can remove barriers and value difference through their work at a focus group being held on Friday 17th October in London, starting 10am.
Social worker suspended after causing service user ‘considerable and unnecessary distress’
12/09/2008
A social worker from Sunderland has been suspended from practising for two years and asked to undertake further training after he physically restricted a person who used services in a way that breached official guidelines.
Action taken to keep unsuitable people out of social work revealed in new GSCC report
03/09/2008
Almost 800 people have been refused professional registration and 23 people have been barred from practice by the social work regulator in the last five years, a new report shows.
Social worker removed from register after inappropriate sexual relationship and dishonesty
01/09/2008
A social worker from Hassocks, West Sussex has been barred from the profession after an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' found he had breached the code of practice.
Social worker cleared of misconduct
29/08/2008
A social worker from South London has been cleared of misconduct by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker barred from practice following GSCC hearing
18/08/2008
A convicted rapist from Essex has been removed from the Social Care Register by a committee of the General Social Care Council held on Friday 15 August.
GSCC announces appointment of three new Council members
15/08/2008
The General Social Care Council has announced the appointment of three new members to its Council, following a selection carried out by the Appointments Commission.
Social work student removed from register following indecent assault conviction
13/08/2008
A 48-year-old social work student from Outwell, Cambridgeshire has been removed from the Social Care Register after an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' found he had breached the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.
Social worker admonished following conduct hearing in London
30/07/2008
An Essex social worker has been admonished by a conduct committee of the General Social Care Council after he admitted misconduct in forming inappropriate personal relationships with two women.
Somerset social worker barred from practice
30/07/2008
A social worker from Taunton has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', after being found to have seriously breached the Code of Practice.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
30/07/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 14-16 July 2008 by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker suspended from Social Care Register
30/07/2008
A social worker from Huntingdon has been suspended from the Social Care Register for a period of six months by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' for forming an inappropriate personal relationship and for failing to disclose information to her employer.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
30/07/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 22 to 24 July 2008 by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
02/07/2008
A Registered Social Worker will appear before an independent committee of the workforce regulator the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' next week, following an allegation of misconduct.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
02/07/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 7 to 11 July by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
02/07/2008
A Registered Social Worker will appear before an independent committee of the workforce regulator the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' next week, following an allegation of misconduct.
Consultation announced on the regulation of personal assistants
30/06/2008
The General Social Care Council 'GSCC' today confirmed that it will be consulting on a system of regulation for personal assistants at the launch of a new study looking at the impact of direct payments on the people who receive them and the personal assistants they employ.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
13/06/2008
The social worker is alleged to have committed misconduct and breached the GSCC’s Code of Practice for Social Care Workers for dishonesty, including making false declarations.
GSCC statement: CST judgement regarding Lisa Arthurworrey’s application to be a registered social worker
04/06/2008
“We are disappointed at today’s decision of the Care Standards Tribunal 'CST' to uphold Lisa Arthurworrey’s appeal against the decision of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' to refuse her registration.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
21/05/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 19 - 23 May by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social workers key to success of personalised care
07/05/2008
Social workers will play a crucial role in implementing personalised services for people who need care and should not be overlooked during the design of the system, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' said yesterday.
GSCC comments on guidance for workers on personalised care
01/05/2008
Commenting on today’s announcement of Common Core Principles to support self care, Mike Wardle, Chief Executive of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', commented:
“We welcome the Common Core Principles which will be valuable for those working in social care as they move towards offering tailored services to people.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
21/04/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 28 to 30 April by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker barred following relationship with woman
21/04/2008
A St Helens man has been removed from the register of social workers by a committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' after being found to have formed an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship with a vulnerable child in care.
Social worker cautioned for failing to maintain and store records
18/04/2008
A social worker has been cautioned after an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' found misconduct against her for failing to store and maintain records containing sensitive information.
GSCC comments on new proposals aimed at developing social workers
10/04/2008
Social workers are set to benefit from a new package of proposals unveiled by the Government today aimed at enhancing the capacity and skills of the profession.
Social worker removed from register for dishonesty and inappropriate relationship*
09/04/2008
*Sanction subsequently quashed on appealA social worker from London has been banned from practising after an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' found misconduct against her for forming an inappropriate relationship and for dishonesty.
Social worker removed from Register following relationship with ‘vulnerable’ client
28/03/2008
A man from Northumbria has been barred from practising as a social worker after an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' found his relationship with a service user constituted professional misconduct.
Rotherham social worker found guilty of misconduct and removed from register
06/03/2008
A social worker has been removed from the Social Care Register by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', after being found to have committed misconduct by forming an inappropriate personal relationship with a person who used services.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
27/02/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 4 - 6 March by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker suspended from register after inappropriate relationship
21/02/2008
A woman from Derbyshire has been suspended from working as social worker for two years by a committee of the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' after being found to have breached the profession’s code of practice.
Waltham Forest social worker removed from the register
18/02/2008
A social worker who worked for Waltham Forest Borough Council has been removed from the Social Care Register at a hearing held by the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', after being found guilty of professional misconduct.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
12/02/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 18 to 20 February by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
06/02/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 11 to 14 February by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Leeds social worker removed from register following misconduct
01/02/2008
A social worker from Leeds has been removed from the Social Care Register at a hearing held by the General Social Care Council 'GSCC', after being found to have breached the code of practice.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
31/01/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held from 4 to 7 February by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
New checks for wider social care workforce will help drive up standards
31/01/2008
Regulation of the wider social care workforce will help improve standards of care and go some way towards addressing problems with recruitment and retention, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' said today as it welcomed a report looking at the state of social care in Britain.
Is Post-Registration Training and Learning doing its job?
25/01/2008
The General Social Care Council 'GSCC' has begun a review of its arrangements for Post-Registration Training and Learning 'PRTL'.
Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
21/01/2008
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker from Leeds will be held from 28 to 30 January by the social care workforce regulator for England, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC'.
Remove requirement for social workers to declare health conditions, says GSCC
09/01/2008
Social workers should not have to declare health conditions when they apply for registration, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' has said today in a letter to the Department of Health.
Remove requirement for social workers to declare health conditions, says GSCC
09/01/2008
Social workers should not have to declare health conditions when they apply for registration, the General Social Care Council 'GSCC' has said today in a letter to the Department of Health.