SSSC report reveals over 70,000 workers on register

Over 70,000 people are now registered to work in social services in Scotland. This was one of the main highlights as the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) released its annual report and accounts for 2013/14 this week.

The 2013-2014 report also shows a 16% increase in the number of new fitness to practise cases opened on the previous year reflecting the growth in the Register with nearly 20,000 social service workers registered for the first time.

Professor James McGoldrick, Convener of the SSSC said: “I want the public to be confident in the skill and integrity of the people working in social services, in their communities and with their families.

“Every one of Scotland’s 191,000 social service workers provide essential support and services to the most vulnerable people in Scotland.  They often carry out their work in difficult circumstances but the vast majority provide high quality care and support.  And the SSSC will continue to lead the way in developing the professionalism of the workforce so we can all achieve our shared outcomes.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the SSSC said: “All of us will use care services at some point in our lives. The SSSC’s role is to protect the public and improve the quality of care through making sure that we have the right people working in social services, with the right skills now and for the future. We are doing this through developing the skills, qualifications and values of the workforce and by taking action where standards aren’t met.

“Our annual report highlights what we are doing along with our partners to develop a skilled, confident and trusted workforce able to deliver high quality care services. Developing that skilled workforce in the context of the integration of social care and health services is challenging for employers and we are working on a range of resources and tools to help with this.

“Most of the people registered with the SSSC do a very good job often under difficult circumstances.  As the workforce regulator, where there are concerns over the standards of practice of any worker on the SSSC Register we will not hesitate to take action.

“The next few years will see significant developments in the way social services are provided, delivered and used by the people who need them and we will continue to work hard to so that Scotland has a workforce that can meet these challenges.”

To download the full report, visit: http://www.sssc.uk.com/about-the-sssc/multimedia-library/publications/37-about-the-sssc/38-annual-report/sssc-annual-report-2013-14