This document contains agreed codes of practice for social care
workers and employers of social care workers describing the
standards of conduct and practice within which they should work.
This introduction, which is also reproduced in the Code of Practice
for Employers of Social Care Workers, is intended to help you
understand what the codes are for and what they will mean to
you as a social care worker, employer, service user or member
of the public.
The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers is a list of statements
that describe the standards of professional conduct and practice
required of social care workers as they go about their daily work.
This is the first time that standards have been set in this way at
national level, although many employers have similar standards
in place at local level. The intention is to confirm the standards
required in social care and ensure that workers know what
standards of conduct employers, colleagues, service users,
carers and the public expect of them.
The General Social Care Council began its work on 1 October 2001,
at the same time as the Northern Ireland Social Care Council,
the Scottish Social Services Council, and the Care Council for
Wales. The councils have a duty to develop codes of practice and
have worked together in developing these codes as part of their
contribution to raising standards in social care services.
The two codes for workers and employers are presented
together because they are complementary and mirror the
joint responsibilities of employers and workers in ensuring
high standards.
The Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers sets
down the responsibilities of employers in...