What is registration?

Registration is a major part of the drive for higher standards in social services and is bringing the social service workforce in line with other professional colleagues. Nursing, medicine and teaching are all regulated professions and workers have to register with their own regulatory bodies to be able to work in their field.  Social service workers now have to do the same.

What is a function based register?

The Register for social service workers is function based, rather than qualification based, meaning that an applicant must be performing a relevant role in a service registered by the Care Inspectorate, rather than holding a specific qualification, before they become eligible to register with us. This means that you need to be in employment in an appropriate service to be eligible to apply to be on this Register.

The Register for social workers and students is based on either holding or studying for a suitable social work qualification.

The benefits

Registration is evidence that people who work in social services meet the competence, good character and conduct requirements set for registration and that they are committed to meeting the Code of Practice for Social Service Workers. The qualification requirements set for registration mean that all workers undertaking a particular role, wherever they work in Scotland, are required to demonstrate the same level of competence and adhere to the same Code of Practice. Registration increases awareness of, and public confidence in, the important role that the social service workforce plays in the community.

To register a worker must satisfy the criteria for registration. This includes holding the appropriate qualifications for the job they do and being able to evidence good character.

Applicants for registration who do not hold the required qualifications may, if they meet all the other eligibility criteria for registration eg evidence of ‘good character', be granted registration subject to the condition that they achieve the required qualifications within a specified period - normally their first three year period of registration.

Compulsory registration

Registration is compulsory for many groups of social service workers.  Find out what it means

Who can apply?

Find out if you can apply to register with the SSSC 

Or if you know that your part of the Register is open go straight to Apply for registration