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How to complain about a social care worker

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) regulates social service workers in Scotland. This is how to raise a concern about one.

Use this route if

Your concern is about a social care or social work worker who is registered with the SSSC: for example a care home worker, a home care worker, or a social worker involved in your relative's care. The SSSC can only act if the person is registered with it (or is applying to register). If you are not sure, you can search the SSSC Register or ask them.

Step by step

1. Check the worker is registered. The SSSC can only deal with people on its Register. Search the Register online or call to check.
2. Read the short guidance. The SSSC has a plain guide for members of the public on its raising-a-concern page.
3. Fill in the referral form. Use the member-of-the-public form linked from the page above.
4. Describe what happened. Give enough detail to identify the worker and explain your concern.
5. Send it. If you have trouble, email ftp@sssc.uk.com for help.

What to include

• The worker's name and, if you know it, where they work
• What happened and when
• Why you are concerned
• Anything that supports what you say

What it costs

Nothing. Raising a concern with the SSSC is free.

What can happen

The SSSC may take no further action, or it may issue a warning, set conditions on the worker (with their agreement), or refer the case to a sub-committee, which can suspend the worker or remove them from the Register.