Making a complaint
Who should I make a complaint to?
Complaints about social service workers are usually most appropriately dealt with at a local level by the employer of the registered worker or by a university in the case of a social work student.
Employers of social service workers are responsible for governance of the practice of their staff and this includes managing the performance of their workers, supporting and monitoring their workers' professional judgement and investigating and resolving complaints about the work of their staff.
Employers can decide that decisions about practice matters should be changed in appropriate circumstances or that more work is required in order that the needs and views of a user of the social services they provide are more fully understood and addressed.
Making a complaint about a social service worker
The SSSC can investigate the conduct of registered social service workers. When an allegation of misconduct comes to our attention, we will consider whether there is a question about a social service worker's suitability to remain on the Register.
The role of the SSSC in dealing with complaints
The SSSC can consider:
- complaints that are about a social service worker who is registered with the SSSC
- complaints that are about that registrant's conduct and that call into question their suitability to be on the Register.
Action we can take against a registered social service worker
If a social service worker is found guilty of misconduct the SSSC can take the following action:
- issue a warning that is kept on the worker’s record for a period of up to five years
- place conditions on the worker’s registration eg require them to complete specific training
- issue a warning that is kept on the worker’s record for a period of up to five years and impose a condition or conditions on the worker’s registration
- suspend the worker from the register for up to two years
- suspend the worker from the register for up to two years and impose a condition or conditions on the worker’s registration
- remove the worker from the register.
Complaint form
Complaint guidance
How can I make a complaint against a social care service?
You can make a complaint about a registered care service by contacting the Care Inspectorate.
