Codes Of Practice
For Social Care Workers

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Introduction
This document contains agreed codes of practice for social care workers and employers of social care workers describing the standards of conduct and practice within which they should work.
This introduction, which is also reproduced in the Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers, is intended to help you understand what the codes are for and what they will mean to you as a social care worker, employer, service user or member of the public.
The General Social Care Council began its work on 1 October 2001, at the same time as the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, the Scottish Social Services Council, and the Care Council for
Wales. The councils have a duty to develop codes of practice and have worked together in developing these codes as part of their contribution to raising standards in social care services.
The two codes for workers and employers are presented together because they are complementary and mirror the oint responsibilities of employers and workers in ensuring high standards.

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What are the codes?
The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers is a list of statements that describe the standards of professional conduct and practice required of social care workers as they go about their daily work.
This is the first time that standards have been set in this way at national level, although many employers have similar standards in place at local level. The intention is to confirm the standards required in social care and ensure that workers know what standards of conduct employers, colleagues, service users, carers and the public expect of them.
The Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers sets down the responsibilities of employers in the regulation of social care workers. Again, this is the first time