Heather’s appointment will support the growing work of the GSCC in social care workforce regulation, focusing on the drive to register all qualified social workers by April 2005, when protection of title will come into force in England.

Heather is a qualified social worker with a wealth of experience in social services delivery and management. She joins the GSCC from the Commission for Social Care Inspection, where she is Head of Business Continuity and Performance. Prior to that, Heather was National Director of Adult Services for the National Care Standards Commission. Heather was awarded an OBE in 2000 for services to social services in the Millennium honours list.

The Interim Director of Regulation, Jane Held, will remain with the GSCC to cover the post until the autumn. The Director of Regulation post will manage the processes of the regulatory framework for social care workers and direct arrangements for registration and conduct procedures.

Announcing the new appointment, Chief Executive Lynne Berry said:

“I am delighted to welcome Heather to the GSCC. Heather’s vast experience demonstrates her passionate interest in improving care standards across England. With Jane Held as Interim Director, I’m confident the GSCC will have a smooth transition during a crucial time for registration.”

Notes to editors

1. For further details on registration, please email registration@gscc.org.uk or telephone 0845 070 0630. For other information on the General Social Care Council, visit www.gscc.org.uk or call 020 7397 5800.

2. Protection of title is being introduced by the Government from 1 April 2005. This will ensure the title ‘social worker’ is only used by people who have registered as a social worker with the General Social Care Council or one of the other councils in the UK. This will protect the high standards of the sector, and protect the professional status and reputation of the thousands of qualified and committed social workers in England. All social workers must be on the Social Care Register before protection of title comes into force.