You can find out all that you need to know about the codes of practice for social care workers and employers on this page. Just click on one of the questions below or print the page for a longer read.

What are the codes?

The codes are the first statutory codes of practice for social care workers and their employers. They provide a clear guide for all those who work in social work, setting out the standards of conduct workers and their employers should meet. They also mean that people who use services and the wider public will know what standard of conduct and practice they can expect. There are two codes:

The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers sets out the standards of professional conduct and practice required of social care workers.
The Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers sets out the responsibilities of employers in the regulation of social care workers.

Why are the codes important?

The codes play a key part in regulating the social care workforce and in helping to improve levels of public protection. Adherence to the codes is a condition of joining the Social Care Register. Social workers who breach the codes can be removed from the register, while employers who break them can face sanctions.

Who do they apply to?

The codes were developed for anyone working at any level in any social care setting. The codes also apply to all employers in private, voluntary and statutory sectors.

What should I do with the codes?

Whether you are a social worker or a social care employer you need to comply with the codes.

Individual social care workers should take personal responsibility for ensuring they adhere to the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers. There is nothing in them that cannot be put into practice straight away.

Why do we need to adopt these codes?

Many organisations in the social care sector do already have their own codes of practice. However, there are a number of important reasons why our codes should be adopted by social care workers and their employers everywhere:

The codes provide the first clear and consistent set of guidelines for any individual or employer working at any level in social care right across the UK.
People who use services will know more about the conduct and practice they can expect from social care workers.
Adherence to the codes by social workers is a condition of being accepted onto the Social Care Register.
The codes set out the standard of practice against which anyone on the Social Care Register will be assessed.
In this way, the codes provide the basis for regulating the social care sector. Regulation is essential to increase the protection of people using social care services and to improve the public's confidence in the social care workforce.

We don't need to join the Social Care Register yet so why do we need to adopt these codes?

The codes cover everyone working in the social care workforce. Adherence to the codes is a condition of registration for social workers. Furthermore, the codes set out clear best practice guidelines that are relevant and important to everyone, regardless of whether they are about to join the register or not. It is important to note that many good employers who are not yet required to register are already adhering to the codes.

How are the codes enforced?

The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers are enforced by employers and the GSCC. If an employer feels an issue brings a social worker's registration into question, a registered social worker can be referred onto us, we will investigate and consider whether their case should be heard at a conduct hearing.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will take the codes into account when enforcing care standards.

Are the codes the same throughout the UK?

Yes. The codes were developed jointly by the UK's four regulatory social care councils and are the same.

What did the GSCC do to consult on the codes?

A widely advertised three-month consultation exercise was launched on 9 January 2002. A total of 6,000 people were invited to six regional events, attended by people working at all levels in the social care sector. Additional events were held for people who use services and their carers. The codes were revised and improved in light of these responses.

What is the history of the codes?

Section 62 in the Care Standards Act 2000 places a duty on the GSCC to develop codes of practice and keep them under review. The draft codes were written by the four Government bodies of the UK, in consultation with people who use services, lawyers and the Plain English Campaign.