FAQ's
This section will be updated as your questions and suggestions are sent to the NISCC. Email the group at info@niscc.hscni.net
1. What is the NISCC and how does it affect me?
2. Why was the NISCC set up?
3. Why do workers have to register?
4. What is the Social Care Register?
5. What standards do registered workers have to meet?
6. What do social care workers have to do to register?
7. What should I do if I have concerns about a social care worker?
8. What if I have concerns about a care package I have been allocated or an organisation providing care services?
1. What is the NISCC and how does it affect me?
The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) is the organisation that is responsible for registering key groups of people who provide social care services and for regulating their education and training to ensure they meet agreed standards in their training and practice.
2. Why was the NISCC set up?
You need to feel confident that the care you are provided with meets professional standards. NISCC reviews and updates training for social work and social care to ensure it meets the needs of service users and employers. Registering the social care workforce will increase the protection of people who use services by ensuring that workers are suitably trained, have the right qualifications for the job and are regulated properly.
3. Why do workers have to register?
We are registering social care workers to increase the protection of people who use services and to raise standards of practice. It is also important that the workers know how to provide good social care services and that they are valued for the good work that they do. NISCC investigates cases where workers are alleged to have broken the standards set out in the Codes of Practice. If an allegation is proven, a worker can receive an admonishment (public caution), be suspended from social care work, or be removed from the Register (this prevents them from working in social care).
4. What is the Social Care Register?
The Register is a public list of people who are registered as being fit to provide social care services. Workers of all levels will be registered – from care workers to directors of social care. The public can check to see if a social care worker is on the list. You can ‘Check the Register’ from this website, or you can contact the Registration Team by calling 028 9041 7633 or by emailing registration@nisocialcarecouncil.org.uk
5. What standards do registered workers have to meet?
The Codes of Practice set out clearly the standards of training and behaviour that are expected of social care workers and their employers. Every social care worker will need to agree to these Codes in order to be registered. Click here to read the Codes of Practice. You can also order a free copy of the Codes by calling 028 9041 7633 or by emailing registration@nisocialcarecouncil.org.uk
6. What do social care workers have to do to register?
All workers must complete the NISCC application form to be registered. They must be suitably trained for their job and they must be able to provide evidence that they are of good character and fit to work in social care. Each worker has to have a Criminal Records Check when applying to be registered. This check tells us whether the worker has any criminal convictions which would affect their suitability for social care work. Once a worker has gone through this process the NISCC will register the worker if they meet the set standards. Their details will then be added to the Public Register. Once a social care worker is registered, they have to apply to be re-registered every three years.
7. What should I do if I have concerns about a social care worker?
You may want to speak directly to the worker, or their manager to let them know your concerns. Most organisations will want to investigate a complaint about their workers and will be able to give you the written guidelines on how to make a complaint. You can also write to the NISCC about your concerns. Click here to find out more about what concerns the NISCC can investigate (this includes a complaint form). Advice is also available from the NISCC Conduct Team on 028 9041 7633.
8. What if I have concerns about a care package I have been allocated or an organisation providing care services?
NISCC cannot investigate concerns about allocation of services or about standards in social care organisations. If possible, you should speak directly to the manager or organisation responsible to let them know your concerns. They will discuss this with you and will be able to give you their written guidelines on how to make a complaint if the situation cannot be resolved informally. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority has been established to regulate health and social care organisations. More information is available at www.rqia.org.uk
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