3000 care homes supervisors still to register with SSSC

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has issued a plea to supervisors in care homes to apply to register with them by 30 September 2011. This will ensure applications are processed in time for compulsory registration which comes in on 30 March 2012.

Although some people may be registered with another regulatory body like the Nursing and Midwifery Council, it is estimated that over 3000 people working as supervisors in care homes still need to get their application forms to meet the deadline.  

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the SSSC states: “Registration is a positive step within care home settings.  It acknowledges the professionalism and skills staff have achieved throughout their careers and makes sure that people who use services are protected and workers can rely on a trained and trusted workforce.  Many supervisors have registered already which shows their commitment to their profession and to raising standards of practice in care home services for adults.”

Care home services for adults include services regulated by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) such as care homes for older people and adult residential homes.  

Employers and service providers need to be sure that staff have their applications in by 30 September or that staff are already registered.  Those staff registered with another relevant body like the NMC must notify the SSSC so that we can update our records. Any services with staff who not responded will be investigated by SCSWIS as services employing supervisors who are not registered after 30 March 2012 will be committing an offence.

Karen Anderson, director of operations for Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS), said: “SCSWIS expects all care providers to deliver good quality care and to ensure their staff are appropriately registered with the SSSC and other relevant bodies.
 
“In any cases where providers do not ensure that their staff are registered, we will not hesitate to take further action to ensure that people using care services and their carers are confident about the professional standards of practice provided at these services.”

For more information on registration and employers’ responsibilities visit the SSSC website: www.sssc.uk.com