Regulators launch conduct hearings

Scottish and Welsh social care workforce regulators are to carry out their first hearings into the conduct of social workers.

The Care Council for Wales said last week that it planned to hold its first conduct hearing soon, but it has not set a date yet for the hearing or published details of the case. It is also investigating another 30 cases that have been referred to it.

The Scottish Social Services Council said it expected to hold a number of conduct hearings later in the year but was not able to provide any more details.

The councils are to use the same process as the General Social Care Council in England.

They will consider applications from defendants for hearings to be held in private, as happened with the first English case earlier this year. Evidence relating to medical information or vulnerable people will be heard in private.