The Scottish Social Services Council

We are the regulator for the social work, social care and children and young people workforce in Scotland. We don't tolerate abusive posts.

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Adult and older people care homes in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders can now apply for the fourth cohort of the @CareInspect Care Home Improvement Programme (CHIP).

Each participating care home will carry out an improvement project to make a positive difference for people experiencing care. An improvement adviser will provide dedicated one-to-one support throughout the programme.

Applications close on Thursday 8 October 2026.

Find out more and apply ➡️ https://t.co/HaqXhl8fTS

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

The theme of this year’s International Day of Sign Languages is ‘Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights’.

Our Codes of Practice emphasises the rights of people who use social work, social care and children and young people’s services in Scotland.

For registrants, it includes respecting people’s rights, views, wishes and choices while supporting them to have control over their lives and communicating using their preferred method and language.

At the SSSC, we’re committed to accessible and inclusive communication. Our Codes of Practice are available in British Sign Language (BSL), helping BSL users understand the standards of practice, behaviour and values expected of social service workers and their employers.

Watch our BSL video: https://t.co/WkoFE2D5uj

BSL users can also contact us through Contact Scotland BSL, the online BSL interpreting service: https://t.co/LGH1MOuV9D

#InternationalDayofSignLanguages #IDSL #BSL #BritishSignLanguage #DeafRights #HumanRights

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Our September mid month 2026 issue of SSSC News is out now. In this issue we Focus on regulation.

You'll discover all our latest news as well as information about our events.

Read it here ➡️ https://t.co/IUBcHfwTgf

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

The Promoting Excellence framework sets out the knowledge and skills needed by all health and social care staff to support people with dementia, their families and carers to maximise their rights, choices and health and wellbeing at all stages of their dementia journey.

You’ll find all our Promoting Excellence and dementia learning resources on our Learning Zone: https://t.co/8XMaJEBgy3

#WorldAlzheimersDay

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Last chance to share your views on the Scottish Government's consultation on proposed changes to SSSC registration requirements.

The proposals include adding people working in adult day care services, offender accommodation services and social work assistant roles to the SSSC Register.

Make sure you submit your response before the deadline on Thursday 24 September. Find out more and share your views: https://t.co/7aFab5dAsC

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

The response to our AI in social services symposium has been incredible, all in-person places are now booked so we’re opening the event up online.

Join the free live stream on Tuesday 3 November and be part of the conversation about AI and the future of social services.

Reserve a spot to watch online: https://t.co/1WcmjbEiUE

#AIinSocialServices

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

What does it mean for the workforce to feel valued? Being heard is part of it.

Our 2026 Have Your Say survey received 5,767 responses. We shared the findings with stakeholders, unions and national policy makers to help amplify the voice of the workforce.

Listening to and sharing the experiences of workers helps make sure the workforce is understood, heard and acknowledged for the work they do.

#Valued

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Learning can help build a confident and capable workforce.

We recently launched our new Learning Zone, bringing learning resources together in one improved platform. And 87% of workers who used SSSC learning resources rated them positively.

By making learning easier to access, we can support the confidence, competence and career opportunities of the workforce.

#Confident

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Supporting a skilled workforce means making it easier to access the right standards and learning.

We recently launched the new National Occupational Standards Directory, making it easier to access standards that support qualifications, recruitment and workforce development.

It’s one of the ways our work supports the workforce to deliver high standards of professional practice.

#Skilled

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

We’ve published our latest diversity data report, Further study of registrant equality data, which provides an updated picture of Scotland’s registered social service workforce.

The presents a snapshot of the characteristics of the registered workforce in July 2025. It also covers fitness to practise data between February 2024 and July 2025.

We’ve also published data on unpaid caring responsibilities and trans status for the first time.

Tom Miller, SSSC Head of Registration, Hearings and Improvement tells us more.

Download the full report from our website.

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

This week, we’re showcasing some of the highlights from our work over the last three months and how they contribute to our four outcomes for the workforce: trusted, skilled, confident and valued.

First up is #Trusted.

Did you know 173,094 people were registered with the SSSC at the end of June?
A trusted workforce helps protect people who use services. We also processed new registration applications in an average of 21 days.

It’s part of our work to support a workforce that is fit to practise and protects people who use services.

#Trusted #Skilled #Confident #Valued

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Anne recently completed her SVQ in Integrated Health and Social Care and today she shares her experience. Anne was originally unsure about doing this qualification but found that with the support from her assessor Lorna, it was easy to make links to the SSSC Codes of Practice and her everyday work.

We worked with Qualifications Scotland to design the qualification to cover the integrated value of health and social care, in areas such as promoting health, safety and security in the work setting, promoting effective communication, developing practice through reflection and learning, and promoting the safeguarding of individuals.

Have you recently completed your qualification and want to share your experience? Let us know in the comments and we will be in touch.

#SSSCregistered #Trusted #Skilled #Qualified

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

We’re pleased to welcome our new trainee solicitors who have started their traineeship with us.

Working in our Fitness to Practise Department, they will gain valuable experience in advocacy work, presenting cases at hearings, drafting legal documents, gathering evidence, taking statements and legal research.

Pictured: our 2026 trainee solicitors, Afton, Seana, Vicky and Kai.

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

This Scottish Learning Disability Week, we’re sharing Fraser’s story about inclusion, support and being seen at work.

Fraser has worked with us since 2019 and is solicitor in our Fitness to Practise Department.
In our short clip Fraser shares his career journey and the importance of disclosing his disability early in the recruitment process.

The theme for #ScotLDWeek26 is “I am here…to be seen”. This reminds us that people should be listened to, included, valued for their strengths and respected for their choices. Creating workplaces where people feel able to be themselves is an important part of that.

You can find more information about working with us on our website: https://t.co/QIW4kwHuTm

#HereToBeSeen @scldnews

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Did you know that we provide key data on the mental health officer (MHO) landscape in Scotland?

We’ve published our Mental Health Officers Report 2025 and it shows an increase in the number of MHO posts to 788. There were 763 people working as MHOs and the total number of hours spent on MHO duties rose to 14,702 each week.

The figures show positive progress, while also highlighting ongoing pressures. The report notes a continuing shortfall in MHO provision, with 21 local authorities reporting a combined shortfall of 1,951 hours each week.

Maree Allison, SSSC Chief Executive, said: 'It’s positive that both the number of active MHO posts and the number of people filling them have increased for the third year in a row.

‘However, we need to balance this against the continuing reported shortfall in MHO duties reported by 21 local authorities, which in 2025 amounted to 1,951 hours each week.

 ‘Statistics produced by our Workforce Intelligence Team, analysing data collected directly from local authorities, help workforce planning and succession planning by the Scottish Government, local authorities and others by giving an accurate picture of the MHO workforce.’

Find out more about our latest findings and download a full copy of the report ➡️ https://t.co/YXc7fnjKvJ

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Our September 2026 issue of SSSC News is out now.

You'll discover all our latest news as well as information about our events.

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

It’s Scottish Learning Disability Week and this year’s theme is “I am here…to be seen”.

Being seen means being listened to, included, valued and respected for who you are. These principles are reflected in our Codes of Practice, which set out the standards expected of the social work, social care and children and young people’s workforce in Scotland.

For registrants, that includes respecting and promoting people’s rights, views, wishes and choices and supporting people to have control over their lives and make informed choices about their care or support.

Every person has the right to be seen, heard and valued.

#ScotLDWeek26 and #HereToBeSeen @scldnews

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Have you submitted your application for the 2026-27 Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF)?

Don't miss out, applications close at 5pm on Friday 4 September 2026.

The VSDF supports voluntary sector employers to build a qualified social care workforce, with small and medium-sized organisations especially encouraged to apply this year.

Eligible workers include social care workers in care at home, housing support, and adult care home services.

Find out more and apply here ➡️ https://t.co/hs3xKp7Efs

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

We hope that the information shared this month has inspired you to consider a career in care. Remember, you don’t usually need a qualification to get started with most employers hiring people based on their values and positive attitude.

You can find more information about career pathways and qualifications on our careers website https://t.co/AdLErXycAx

#LifeChangingWork #CareersinCare

[The Scottish Social Services Council @SSSCnews]

Ewan’s career in care started after helping his girlfriend’s grandad who was living with dementia.

Now working as a social care assistant in a care home and with a National Progression Award in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6 under his belt, he enjoys helping others, building friendships with the residents and feeling more confident in himself.

Hear more from Ewan in our short clip. Watch the full clip on our YouTube channel sssctv.

#LifeChangingWork #CareersinCare