Draft codes out for public comment

The UK’s four social care councils have
launched the first draft codes of conduct and practice for social
care professionals this week.

The draft code of conduct for social care
workers and the draft code of practice for employers set out
nationally agreed standards for the sector.

The code for staff contains six main
statements that staff must adhere to and the code for employers has
16.

Abiding by the code of conduct for social care
workers will be mandatory for any individual wanting to register
with the General Social Care Council in England, the Care Council
for Wales, the Scottish Social Services Council and the Northern
Ireland Social Care Council.

GSCC chief executive Lynne Berry said: “It is
very important that the councils set the right standards of conduct
and practice for social care and services workers and employers.
We’re asking people to help us by commenting on the draft
codes.”

The registers are to be launched in 2003 and
will begin with qualified social workers, care home managers and
residential child care workers.

The consultation on the codes ends at the
beginning of April.

l See pages 20-1 for more analysis of the
codes. The draft codes for social care workers and for employers
are available from www.codes-consultation.co.uk