Registration and Regulation FAQ's
Listed below are the common queries we receive about workforce registration and regulation. Click on a subject heading to go straight to the part of the FAQ list which is most relevant to you OR scroll down the list of questions to find the information you are looking for.
If your particular query is not covered here, please contact the NISCC Registration Team for advice (Tel: 028 9041 7633)
Applying to Register
Amending Registration Details
Renewing Registration
Post Registration Training and Learning
Conduct (Workforce Regulation)
Applying to Register
Amending Registration Details
Renewing Registration
Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL)
Conduct
Applying to Register
1. Why is the NISCC registering social care workers?
Social care workers registered with NISCC must meet agreed standards in their conduct, training and practice. This means that everyone knows the standards that are expected of the workforce and we can be confident that the small number of people who do not meet these standards, or who behave inappropriately, will be held accountable.
2. Who will be registered with the NISCC?
Eventually all social care workers in NI will be registered by NISCC. We are registering the social care workforce in phases according to job role and location. Registration is now open for:
- Social workers and social work students
- Team leaders in residential child care
- Residential child care staff
- Head of residential homes and day centres
- Domiciliary care managers
- Adult residential care staff
The final phase of registration runs from 2008 to 2010 and includes social care staff in day care, social work assistants and domiciliary care workers. If you are unsure about when you need to register, contact the NISCC Registration Team for advice.
3. What is a social care worker and what do they do?
The term 'social care worker' covers a wide group of people. It includes the care staff who directly provide personal care or support services; social workers; social work students and those who manage or supply social care services. They work with the elderly, people with physical or learning disabilities, people with mental health problems, people with addictions, families and children being looked after in children's homes or by foster parents. They can work with individuals or community groups.
4. What are the benefits of registering?
Being registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council:
- Demonstrates your commitment to high standards in your practice.
- Reassures service users and give them confidence in you.
- Boosts your employability; soon employers will only employ registered staff.
- Shows you are a trained professional and puts you on a similar footing to other registered professionals like health or teaching.
5. What happens if I don’t register at the appropriate time for my job role/location?
For some staff groups, registration is already a legal requirement for employment and this legislation will be extended shortly. In particular, social workers, or those whose job role requires a social work qualification, must be registered with the NISCC in order to practise. Those working without registration in certain job roles could be at risk of committing a criminal offence. Employers are required to check a worker’s registration status regularly.
6. How do I get registered?
You must complete a registration application form and return it, along with your cheque and the required supporting information, to the NISCC Registration Team. Usually application packs are distributed by employers to their staff as registration begins for their job role/location. If you have not received a pack and are now required to register, you can download a pack from the How to Register section of the NISCC website, or contact the NISCC Registration Team (Tel: 028 9041 7633) to order your copy.
7. What information will be required to register?
To process your registration application, you need to provide:
- a completed an application form
- a copy of your birth certificate and a form of photographic ID like a passport or driving licence which have been verified as true copies by your employer
- evidence that you meet the relevant qualification or induction requirement (dependent on the part of the register you apply for)
- a cheque for the appropriate registration application fee
8. What information about a registrant will appear on the NISCC Public Register?
The public can Check the NISCC Register to confirm if a social care worker has a current registration. The register will show their name, registration number and town where they are employed/studying.
9. How much does registration cost and how can I pay?
The fee must be paid by cheque (made payable to NISCC). Fees range from £10 to £30 depending on job role. A list of current fees is available in the How to Register section of the NISCC website. Fees must be paid with your application to register and then annually on the anniversary of your registration date.
10. I've lost the application form NISCC sent me, where can I get a new one?
Contact the NISCC Registration Team (Tel: 028 9041 7633) to request a new form, or download it from the How to Register section of the NISCC website.
11. Does someone need to authorise my application to register?
Yes. Application forms must be endorsed by someone who is approved by NISCC to confirm your identity and your good character. This is usually your social care employer (or university tutor if you are a student). Ask your line manager to confirm who should sign your form, or contact the NISCC Registration Team (Tel: 028 9041 7633) for advice.
12. Where do I send my form?
Send your completed application, with your cheque, to: NISCC Registration Team, 7 th Floor Millennium House, 19-25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AQ
13. Why do I need to provide information about my criminal record and what do I need to declare?
We need to be sure that you are of good character and are suitable to work in social care. On your application form you should declare any binding-over, caution or conviction you have received, or have pending against you. Only those offences, which would affect your suitability to work in social care, will be taken into account when your application is being assessed. Failure to disclose will be treated as misconduct. The NISCC reserves the right to request that an applicant undergoes a criminal record check if their employer has not carried out this check.
14. Why do I need to provide information about my health and what health conditions do I need to declare?
We need to be sure that you are mentally and physically fit to practise in social care. You should declare any conditions which may affect your ability to work safely and effectively in social care. Declaring health conditions will not exclude you from registration but it may result in a restriction in the type of work you are registered to do.
15. The application form asks for my social work certificate reference number and I can’t find the certificate. Where can I get the reference number?
The NISCC registration team may be able to source this information from the UK database. Complete as much information as you can about the course title, date completed etc to help us locate your reference number.
16. I trained as a social worker outside the UK, can I register to practise in Northern Ireland?
Employers recruiting social workers must be sure that they are properly qualified and have suitable experience. As well as providing references from previous employers to support your job application, you may need your social work qualification checked for comparison against the UK standard in order to register as a social worker with the NISCC. The How to Register section of the NISCC website provides information and application forms for social workers who qualified outside the UK.
17. I am currently registered with another professional regulatory body outside social care, which is recognised by the NISCC. Do I need to be registered with NISCC?
You may still be required to register with NISCC if you are practising as a social worker, or if your job requires a social work qualification. Contact the NISCC Registration Team (Tel: 028 9041 7633) for advice.
18. How does the NISCC decide whether I am suitable to be registered for work in social care?
All applicants must demonstrate they are of good character, good conduct and are fit to practise safely in social care. Where information is provided which may question an applicant’s suitability, the application may be referred to a Registration Committee. The criteria for assessing an application for registration is set out in the NISCC Registration Rules. Registration may be granted in full; with conditions limiting the areas of work; or it may be refused.
top
Amending Registration Details
19. I have changed jobs. Do I need to inform the NISCC?
All registrants are responsible for keeping the NISCC informed about any changes in their circumstances. This includes changes to: your name, employment, contact address or your qualifications. Information must be provided in writing using a Change of Circumstances form.
20. I am currently registered as a social work student and have just qualified as a social worker. How do I change my registration category?
Newly qualified social workers must apply in writing using the application form to Transfer to the Qualified Social Worker part of the register.
21. I have just completed the Assessed Year in Employment. Do I need to amend my registration?
Yes. Your employer will have completed the forms to confirm you have successfully completed the AYE and you must advise the NISCC. The condition of AYE will now be removed from your registration and you will be granted a three year registration as a qualified social worker.
22. I am already registered with one of the other UK social care regulatory councils but will be moving to work in Northern Ireland shortly. Can I transfer my registration?
Yes. Contact the registration department of the Council you are currently registered with and they will provide you with the necessary application forms.
23. I am already registered with one of the other UK social care regulatory councils, but now my work will involve working in Northern Ireland as well. Can I have additional registration with NISCC while I am registered and working in another part of the UK?
Yes. Contact the registration department of the Council you are currently registered with and they will provide you with the necessary application forms.
24. I am retiring from social care work. How do I apply for removal from the register?
If you are no longer working in social care, or practising in a job which requires a social work qualification, you can apply at any time during your registration period for removal from the register. Your application for removal should be sent to the Council in writing, stating the reason why. If you are registered with more than one Council you can apply to be removed from one or all of their Registers.
top
Renewing Registration
25. What does renewal of registration mean?
Registration is usually granted for a period of three years and must be renewed at the end of each registration period. Near the end of your registration period, the Council will write inviting you to apply to renew your registration. If your renewal application is successful, you will be registered for a further three-year period. More information is available in the Information for Registrants section of the NISCC website.
26. When will my registration need to be renewed?
You need to apply for renewal before the end of your three-year registration period. You can check the dates of your registration period by looking at your Certificate of Registration or Notice of Decision. You should keep renewing your registration for as long as you work in the field of social care, or for social workers as long as you wish to use the title Social Worker.
27. How will I know when to renew my registration?
The Council will automatically send you a renewal pack at least 84 days (12 weeks) before your renewal is due. To protect your personal details the pack will usually be posted to your home address.
28. What are the criteria for renewal?
The Council will renew registration where it has received satisfactory evidence of your (the applicant’s)
- good character, good conduct, and competence;
- physical and mental fitness to perform whole or part of the work of a social care worker
- completion of the post-registration training and learning requirement;
- having fulfilled any condition attached to your registration.
- payment of the renewal fee;
- Up-to-date payment of all previous annual payments ;
- agreement to continue to abide by the Code of Practice for Social Care/Service Workers;
- completion of a self declaration of your criminal record. The NISCC reserves the right to seek a criminal record check from Access(NI).
29. What forms do I have to fill in for renewal?
Your renewal application requires you to advise us of any changes to the details we hold about you in the Register. Some of the changes you report may require supporting evidence e.g. change of surname (Marriage Certificate required). Your application form should be endorsed by a nominated representative in your organisation. If you are unsure who the endorser should be, contact the NISCC registration team for advice. If you have more than one social care employer, your second employer must countersign your application.
30. What is the fee for renewal and how can I pay?
The fee must be paid by cheque (made payable to NISCC). Fees range from £10 to £30 depending on job role. A list of current fees is available in the How to Register section of the NISCC website. Fees must be paid with your application to renew and then annually on the anniversary of your registration date.
31. What happens at renewal if I am registered with more than one Council?
If you are registered with more than one Council, the renewal pack will be sent to you by your lead Council (i.e. the first Council you registered with, or the one in the country where you do most of your work). Depending on which Councils you are registered with, there may be some slight differences in the information each of the Councils requires to process your renewal application. You will need to submit the evidence required by all of the Councils with which you are registered. The completed record of your Post-Registration Training and Learning should be submitted to your lead Council when it is requested at the time of renewal.
32. What happens at renewal if I have transferred my registration from one Council to another?
Registrants who transfer their registration to a new Council start a new three year registration period with their new Council on the date the transfer is approved, and their previous registration, and the training and learning associated with that registration period, is closed. You will be notified of your renewal date 84 days (12 weeks) before the third anniversary of your registration date with your new Council. You will have been issued with a new Post-Registration Training and Learning Record of Achievement form by your new Council and you are required to maintain a record of your 15 days or 90 hours training and learning received since registering with the new Council.
top
Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL)
33. Why do I have to do PRTL?
As a registered social care worker you are required to keep your training and learning up to date. The NISCC Code of Practice states that “as a social care worker, you must be accountable for the quality of your work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills” (Code 6). The NISCC Registration Rules require satisfactory completion of PRTL as a condition of renewal of registration.
34. How many days/hours PRTL do I have to do?
In order to maintain registration you must do 15 days or 90 hours of training and learning over the three year registration period. Guidance and recommended recording forms are available from the Information for Registrants section of the NISCC website.
35. What happens if I don’t do the required 90 hours?
If you do not complete satisfactorily the PRTL requirement the NISCC will refer your application to a Registration Committee and they may place a condition on your registration..
36. Can I do my PRTL in one year or do I have to spread it across three years?
You can spread it across three years or do it all in one year.
37. What should I do if I am off work on maternity leave or long term sick leave?
You can still keep your learning up to date even if you are off on sick or maternity leave. Your employer may be able to provide you with information on any new developments. Reading journal articles or doing relevant research on the internet are all acceptable activities for PRTL. It is, however, important that you keep a record of time spent on these activities.
38. What should I do if I am taking leave of absence to work abroad?
See 38 above. If you are involved in social care work when abroad, either in employment or as a volunteer, this is likely to contribute to your learning and development. Keep a record of your learning and the time spent furthering your professional development.
39. I work part-time. How many days PRTL do I need to complete?
The requirement of 15 days/90 hours is the same whether you work full-time or part-time.
40. My employer does not provide in-service training. Does that mean I do not have to do PRTL?
Every registrant is required to undertake PRTL. There are many ways of doing this apart from going on training courses. For example, you may learn on the job by shadowing another worker or through participation in staff or team meetings. You should discuss with your line manager your development needs and how you could meet them.
41. Does my PRTL have to be organised by my employer?
Ideally social care registrants should discuss learning and development needs with their line manager and agree a plan to meet these needs. Where this is not possible registrants should take personal responsibility for developing their knowledge and skills.
42. Does my PRTL have to be related to my job?
Your PRTL must be related to social care work and improved outcomes for service users. Your aim may be to improve your performance in your current job or it could involve working towards improvement in service delivery through staff training or research.
43. I have recently changed jobs. Can I include the training I did with my previous employer?
Yes. You should keep a record of all your training and development activities in the three year registration period.
44. I am unemployed at present. How can I do my PRTL?
You can keep your learning up to date even if you are not in employment through attending relevant training courses, reading books and articles and using the internet to keep in touch with new developments in legislation, policy and practice. You must keep a record of the time spent on these activities and how they have benefited your professional development.
45. I have retired from social work practice but would like to remain on the Register; how can I do PRTL?
You can keep your learning up to date even if you are not in full time employment . If you are involved in consultancy work or voluntary social care work it is likely you will have undertaken new learning that has contributed to your professional development.
46. What information do I need to send NISCC about my PRTL?
The PRTL Guidance pack which you received when you registered with NISCC includes recording forms. You must send NISCC a completed Record of Achievement form along with your application to renew your registration. You must also keep a record of your evidence but you do not need to send it with your application for renewal unless you are requested to do so (see question 49). Guidance and recommended recording forms are available from Information for Registrants section of the NISCC website.
47. Can I complete a PRTL form on-line?
Unfortunately this service is not available from the NISCC at present. You can, however, download the guidance and recording forms from the Information for Registrants section of the NISCC website.
48. Will NISCC check my PRTL?
NISCC will sample evidence of PRTL from a random number of registrants applying for renewal. You must, therefore, keep a record of your evidence as you may be selected as part of the sample. Guidance and recommended recording forms are available from the Information for Registrants section of the NISCC website.
top
Conduct
49. What is workforce regulation?
Workforce regulation is setting and monitoring the standards of training, practice and conduct which are a requirement for registration as a social care worker on the NISCC Social Care Register?
50. What does Conduct mean?
Conduct is the actions or behaviour of a registered social care worker. All registrants have agreed to comply with the standards of conduct set out in the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.
51. What action will the NISCC take if a worker has not met the expected standards set out in the Code of Practice?
When a social care worker is alleged to have brought the profession into disrepute by providing poor practice, or by behaving inappropriately, they will be investigated by the NISCC. All cases will be investigated robustly and fairly, according to the NISCC Conduct Rules. Where a registrant has breached the code, NISCC may admonish, suspend or remove them from the register – depending on how serious the nature of the breach is.
52. What systems are in place to ensure that allegations of misconduct are investigated fairly?
The NISCC Conduct Rules set out the processes which must be followed to ensure that all cases are investigated fairly and robustly. The Registrant against whom an allegation has been made and the person making the complaint will be kept informed throughout the Conduct Process as it is assessed by NISCC Officers and Committee Members to decide whether a full hearing is required.
53. What concerns will the NISCC investigate ?
- When the complaint is about specific behaviour by that worker which does not meet standards – we cannot investigate general employment issues such as sickness, timekeeping or matters relating to the level of service offered.
- When we receive a written, signed complaint about a worker on our register
- Where the behaviour is serious enough to affect registration
54. Who can make a complaint about alleged misconduct?
Anyone can make a complaint about a registered social care worker - carers, service users, employers or the general public. Sometimes an issue comes to our attention through the press or news reports. We could also be notified by the police or the courts if a social care worker has been arrested or convicted.
55. How do I make a complaint to the NISCC about a social care worker?
Complaints should be made in writing. Please refer to the leaflet How to Make a Complaint about a Registered Social Care Worker or contact the NISCC Conduct Manager (Tel: 028 9041 7633) for advice.
56. Can I make a complaint about the conduct of a social care worker who is not yet registered with the NISCC?
If you have concerns about a worker who is not yet registered with the NISCC, you should still contact the NISCC Conduct Manager (Tel: 028 9041 7633) for advice.
Your concerns will be investigated and the social care worker will be informed. Any relevant information will be referred to when the person is applying to the NISCC for registration.
57. Where can I report concerns about the level or quality of service provided by a social care organisation?
Concerns about social care services should be directed to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority which regulates and reviews social care services in Northern Ireland.
58. What happens if a case is assessed and is deemed serious enough to be referred to a Conduct Hearing?
A notice about the hearing will be sent to the Registrant and any relevant witnesses advising of the date the Committee is to meet. Conduct hearings are quite formal and they are held in public. At a Conduct Hearing, a Conduct Committee of five people will hear evidence from the registrant and witnesses to decide whether or not misconduct has been committed.
59. What action might the Conduct Committee decide to take against a registrant following a Conduct Hearing?
The Conduct Committee might decide that there is no case to answer and if so will dismiss the case with no further action. If they decide however that misconduct has been committed, there are three possible courses of action that they might take:
- Admonishment – this is a caution and lasts for a period of five years
- Suspension - removal from the register for a period of up to two years
- Removal from the register – this is a permanent sanction and means that the person is no longer able to work in social care
In all cases the Committee will take into account the seriousness of the misconduct, the need to protect the public and the public interest in maintaining confidence in social care services. The Registrant will be notified of the Conduct Committee’s decision within seven days of the conclusion of the proceedings.
60. Can I appeal a decision made by the Conduct Committee?
Appeals can be made to the Care Tribunal against any decision made by a Committee. The Care Tribunal was established under the provisions of the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 to hear appeals against decisions made by of a number of organisations concerned with the provision of care or education, including decisions concerning the registration of social care workers. The Tribunal can either agree or disagree with the outcome that is being questioned or the sanction given and overturn it. The Tribunal also has the power to vary the original decision. An appeal must be lodged with the Care Tribunal within 28 days of receiving the Notice of Decision from the Committee using the NISCC Appeal Form. Contact the NISCC Conduct Manager (Tel: 028 9041 7633) for advice
top