Social Care News

SOCIAL WORKERS AND CARE STAFF TO BE ASKED FOR VIEWS ON NEW PROPSALS FOR DEALING WITH PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

The Care Council for Wales is to consult with registered practitioners and others on new proposals to streamline and refine the ways in which the regulatory body deals with cases of alleged professional misconduct.

It will ask for the views of social workers and registered social care workers on plans which will include adding to the possible sanctions imposed on practitioners found guilty of misconduct and simplifying how cases are dealt with.

As part of the consultation, the Care Council will also seek the opinions of those people who use the services provided by the workers it regulates.

A full meeting of Care Council members agreed a detailed set of proposals for consultation which included:

·         Providing investigating officers with the power to agree an undertaking with registrants who are not being considered for removal from the Register of Social Care Workers. An undertaking would be measurable and time-bound, with the registrant being responsible for producing written evidence of compliance with the undertaking at the end of the period. This process would mean registrants not having to proceed through a prolonged investigatory process.

·         Developing a greater range of sanctions for conduct committees to use, including the new power to review, vary and revoke a sanction, where, for example, new evidence comes to light. The new sanctions would include suspension orders with conditions and being able to impose specific conditions on a registrant who can continue to practice.

Gerry Evans, Care Council Director of Standards and Regulation, said: “The changes we are proposing are born out of six years’ experience of dealing with cases of alleged misconduct by workers registered with the Care Council. They are designed to streamline the processes of the Care Council and minimise distress to registrants who are accused of misconduct and those who have made complaints, while also ensuring our system remains as robust and fair as ever. The changes will help us resolve cases at an earlier stage and make the whole process more effective and efficient.

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