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Guidance for employers for making a referral

This section provides information about what employers should refer to us about a registered worker and when.

To make a referral please use the employer referral form



Click here for the employer referral form



         

                   

The matters that we consider are:

  • misconduct
  • deficient professional practice
  • health
  • a decision by another regulator
  • a conviction.

                                                           

  • When you suspend, dismiss or demote a social service worker.
  • When an employee resigns during a disciplinary investigation and you would have considered dismissal.
  • Anything you would refer to Disclosure Scotland.
  • When a worker is charged or convicted of a criminal offence.
  • Any other circumstances where you are concerned the behaviour or actions of a worker raises a serious concern about their fitness to practise.

For more information about our thresholds and referral guidance see:

                                                              

Employers must make a referral to us when a worker is not registered with us if they:

  • are dismissed
  • resign or abandon their post, and if they had they not done so, you would have considered dismissal.

You should only notify us about a non-registered worker when your own disciplinary process concludes.

                                                         

You should not refer employer investigations and disciplinary matters about the conduct, professional practice or health of workers that result in less serious outcomes, for example, a warning or a performance management plan, unless the conduct, professional practice or health concerns meet our thresholds.

If you believe the concerns on which you took action do not meet our thresholds, but you have taken any of the actions listed on page six of our guidance document, please update the worker’s record on MySSSC. You can do this by selecting the worker, then View and Amend details in the registrant’s section (change of details). When doing this, please also provide a short but detailed summary of why you think the behaviour does not meet our thresholds. If you are unsure whether you should refer a worker, please check with us.

                   

If you would like to speak to someone about a referral, our employer advice line provides specialist support and advice to employers and higher education institutions (HEIs) about our fitness to practise processes.

Email us at employerlink@sssc.uk.com or phone 0345 60 30 891, select the option for employer advice line.

                

Other referral forms

Higher education institution

Raise a concern

Someone who uses services, a carer, a colleague or member of the public

Raise a concern

Others, such as a police officer or representative of another public body

Raise a concern

The Rules and our decisions guidance

View the documents that set out how we carry out our regulatory function and provide guidance to decision makers on when to apply the different sanctions available to them.

View the rules and guidance

The Codes of Practice

The Codes of Practice set out the standards of practice and behaviour expected of social service workers and their employers.

Find out about the Codes

What we publish about hearings and decisions – Fitness to Practise Public Information Policy

Read The Public Information Policy to see what information we publish in advance of our hearings, what we don’t and why.

Read The Public Information Policy

Other websites by the SSSC

The SSSC has created a number of other websites that provide specific services for learning and statistic reporting.

 

Vist the Workforce Data website

Workforce Data

As an Official Statistics provider, The SSSC publishes data on the social service workforce in Scotland.
Visit the Learning Zone website

Learning Zone

Develop your skills with resources you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Visit the Step into Leadership website

Step into Leadership

Find resources and information to develop your leadership skills, whatever your role in social services.
Visit the Open Badges website

Open Badges

Open Badges are digital certificates recognising learning and achievement.