Results published today show strong backing for the General Social Care Council's codes of practice for social care workers and their employers. In a survey of the workforce, the codes were hailed as "excellent" and respondents said they will raise standards of care in the sector.

47,000 social care workers and employers were asked what they knew and thought about the codes of practice in the GSCC’s biggest ever survey. The findings show that 96 per cent of respondents rated the codes of practice from good to excellent overall and 86 per cent thought that they would raise standards of care within the social care sector. The survey, launched on 24 March, received an above average response rate and was wide-reaching, with respondents ranging from social services directors to care managers to frontline social care workers.

Commenting on the recent results GSCC Chief Executive Lynne Berry said: “It is wonderful to see that social care workers are embracing the codes and view them so highly in delivering their services. The results demonstrate the social care workforce is aware of the codes of practice and their role in the sector. But we still have more work to do. We are working with employers to help them embed the codes of practice in their day-to-day practice.”

To date over 1.25 million copies of the codes of practice have been sent out in England, which means that the majority of the workforce should have their own copy or have access to one. All social care workers and employers should abide by the codes and the Commission for Social Care Inspection takes the codes into account in its enforcement of care standards. Abiding by the codes is a condition of registration with the General Social Care Council and the other four social care regulatory councils of the UK. All qualified social workers must be registered by April 2005.

The full results of the GSCC consultation will be presented to Community Minister Stephen Ladyman.

Key findings from the survey include:

98 per cent of respondents were aware of the codes
96 per cent rated the codes from good to excellent overall
93 per cent thought that the codes were clearly written and easy to understand
86 per cent said that the codes will help to raise the standards of care in the social sector
85 per cent said that the codes will help to protect service users from abuse or poor standards of care

The key findings of the report were discussed at the 19 July GSCC Council meeting.