Guide for workers referred to the Care Council
What action will the Care Council take?
The Care Council investigates matters that relate to the conduct of a registered social worker, social care worker or registered social work student which questions their suitability to remain on the register.
In undertaking investigations, the Care Council can obtain employer disciplinary documents and outcomes, certificates of convictions, medical reports, witness statements and examine relevant documents such as case recordings, time sheets and expenses records.
Following an initial risk assessment to determine whether there are any matters which might affect public protection, the Investigation Officer writes a report which is presented to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC).
The Care Council can recommend that an Interim Suspension Order be imposed on a registrant where it feels that such action is necessary for the protection of members of the public or is otherwise in the public interest or is in the interests of the Registrant. An Interim Suspension Order means that a registrant cannot continue to practice for the duration of the Order and whilst further investigation is undertaken.
The PPC considers the report and attached evidence and decides whether the matter should be closed, investigated further or referred to a Conduct Committee or Health Committee Hearing. The Committee can also decide to suspend a registrant temporarily from the Register whilst the investigation of the case is undertaken, by imposing an Interim Suspension Order. The Committee sits in private.
If the matter has been adjourned for further investigation, it is at this stage that an independent investigation is completed. A report and attached evidence is presented to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee 2 who consider whether there is a reasonable prospect of finding misconduct.