Mike Wardle, Acting Chief Executive, said “We are looking for people motivated to work with us to raise standards in social care. The Registration Committee will take important decisions, affecting not just those applying for registration, but service users who rely on good judgements being made.”

The General Social Care Council is seeking lay people as well as those with experience in the social care sector. The committee will need to balance fairness to applicants with protection of the public, in all decisions being taken. Initially, the Council is seeking committee members to assess applicants for inclusion on the new Social Care Register. Most applications for registration are expected to be straightforward, but some may raise specific questions that need to be considered by the Registration Committee. Over time, we will also be seeking panel members to decide whether individuals should be allowed to stay on the Social Care Register, where cases of misconduct are alleged.

Preparations for the launch of the register, the first ever regulator of the social care workforce in England, are already well under way. The register represents a significant step forward in improving the protection of service users and the public. It will promote training and high standards, and ultimately will enable unsuitable people to be removed from the profession. The register will develop incrementally, with invitations being issued to the first applicants, via selected employers across England, from April.

10 March 2003

Notes

Committee members will be recruited for up to four year terms, working 20 days a year. They will be paid at a daily rate, in addition to expenses.
Further details can be found in the 'Working for us' section of the website under Committee members, or via GSCC Response on 020 7382 7531.