Registration and Regulation - Introduction

Patricia Higgins – Director of Registration

Registration with the NISCC recognises a social care worker’s commitment to providing quality services for those who need it most. It shows that they are suitably trained, professional in their practice and accountable for the work they do. Registered workers must meet the agreed standards in their conduct and practice set out in the NISCC Code of Practice. NISCC has developed Registration Rules and Conduct Rules which ensure that we register and regulate the workforce in a fair and robust manner. Service Users, workers and employers can be confident that the workforce has recognised standards of training, conduct and practice. This means that the small number of workers who bring the profession into disrepute by providing poor practice, or by behaving inappropriately, will be investigated by the NISCC.

NISCC is registering the 30,000 social care workers here in phases according to job role and location. The social care workforce includes people working in a range of job roles, providing, managing or supplying personal care and support to individuals, families and communities. Registration is now open for Social Workers, Team leaders in residential child care, Residential child care staff, Heads of residential homes and day centres, Domiciliary care managers and Adult residential care staff. The final phase of registration will run from 2010 to include social care staff in day care, social work assistants and domiciliary care workers. NISCC is working with employers to inform and support workers applying for registration. Select one of the sections below to find out more about workforce registration and regulation. You can also contact the NISCC Registration Team for advice (Tel: 028 9041 7633)