The Care Council for Wales (CCFW)throughout England.
On the 1st August 2012, the General Social Care Council (GSCC) was replaced by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to carry out the regulation of social workers throughout England.
Where there is a concern of a social worker’s fitness to practice, the issue will be raised with the Health and Care Professions Council. A case manager will then make an investigation. They will be responsible for notifying the social worker, who has 28 days to make a formal response to the allegation.
The case manager presents the inquiry to a panel of members within the investigating committee. They will decide whether or not the case is appropriate for a formal hearing. If so, then a solicitor must prepare the case for the hearing on behalf of the Health and Care Professions Council.
A solicitor working on behalf of the Health and Care Professions Council will present the case at the hearing.
Matters pertaining to convictions or cautions, determinations by another regulator, misconduct, lack of competence, and decisions on barring a professional, will be presented to a panel made up of the Conduct and Competence Committee.
Matters pertaining to cases where the health of the social worker is believed to be affecting their decision-making will be presented to a panel of the Health Committee.
Matters pertaining to fraudulent or incorrect registration will be presented to a panel of the Investigating Committee.
All evidence is to be presented to the committee by both the accused and the prosecution. Witnesses may be called if relevant. The social worker must be given every opportunity to present any evidence in their defence.
The social worker has the right to appeal against any decision and sanction imposed by the Health and Care Professions Council to the High Court.
In Wales, the regulation of social workers is managed by the Care Council for Wales (CCFW). When investigating any case brought against a social worker the Care Council for Wales is permitted to authorise an interim suspension order that can last up to 6 months, for as long as the initial investigation takes place.
An investigating officer is allocated to present all the findings of an initial evaluation to a Preliminary Proceedings Committee.
Matters pertaining to convictions, misconduct, incompetence, determinations by other regulators, and barring decisions will be presented to a panel of the Conduct Committee.
Matters pertaining to health problems will be presented to a panel of the Health Committee.
Evidence from both sides should be presented, including calling witnesses wherever relevant and appropriate. The social worker must be allowed every opportunity to make a complete defence.
The social worker can appeal to the High Court against any decision or sanction made by the Care Council for Wales.
Our specialist employment law solicitors will be happy to represent any social worker involved in internal disciplinary proceedings being carried out by their employer or line manager.
If you are subject to proceedings carried out by the Health and Care Professions Council or the Care Council for Wales in respect of your role as a social worker, please contact us on 0161 82 11 559, or complete the form on our enquiry page. One of our dedicated team will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your case, possible outcomes and all of your available options.