Beyond Reproach? The Impact of Regulation on Professional Practice and Conduct Paul Webster – Education and Inspection Manager - GSCC Ian Johnston - Chief Executive - BASW SSRG Annual Workshop Joining Up Locally: Partnerships for better Practice and Performance 17 th April Leicester

About BASW A professional association – not a trade union 37 years old - 11,300 members Collectively committed to values and principles Code of ethics since 1973 Campaigned for independent - not self-regulation Protection of title for qualified social workers An inclusive register for the social care workforce Great expectations!!!!

Codes - 2 million copies of the codes for employers and workers distributed and liked by the sector Conduct - we have had over 700 individual social workers referred to us; over 50 investigations(10 proceeded with) ; 9 concluded conduct hearings; 6 admonitions; 1 suspension and 2 removals Register – The Social Care Register currently has almost 77,000 social workers, and almost social work students. Our impact on the care sector since 2002

The GSCC is now looking to open the register to other social care workers after registering social workers. The next phase is: All domiciliary care workers and their managers in the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) regulatory framework should be in the next groups to be registered It is proposed that the Social Care Register will be opened to this next group of social care workers early 2008 The task of registering an estimated 200,000 workers will not be easy Next groups to register

Over 70 universities approved to run degree courses and new ones still applying 120 degree courses part time, full time, college or employment based, at undergraduate and post graduate level Annual intake students Education and training: qualifying

New PQ framework and new standards and requirements published for Children, young people, families and carers Leadership and management Practice education Social work with adults Mental health requirements ( including approved social workers and approved mental health professionals) Post qualifying training

Impact on performance and service delivery GSCC primary role is protection of the public; and promoting Public confidence in the social care sector; through A national transparent system of accountability ; for whistleblowing Designed to enhance and build professional reputation, credibility, standing BUT

Measurement of standards How does one measure impact on standards other than registration refusals and conduct outcomes ? How does one measure the impact of new training? Do the Codes and registration influence attitudes, behaviour and performance? How do employers use the Codes for workforce training, development and disciplining? What should the relationship be between BASW’s Code of Ethics and the Codes of Practice?

Moral and ethical issues The GSCC Code for employees has 41 prescriptions or injunctions What constitutes a breach? Where does being of ‘good character’ come into this? Are there any legitimate boundaries between private and public life? How might the employer (and the employer code) be implicated in a worker’s misconduct? How can we ensure that decisions are proportionate and fair and that they reflect our values?