Skip to main content
SSSC Codes of Practice 2024

20 Apr 2026

SSSC Codes of Practice

New Codes of Practice toolkit for managers and employers

We’ve pulled together key information on the Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers into a toolkit to help employers speak about the Codes with their staff and people using services.

The Codes set out the standards expected of everyone working in social work, social care and children and young people services in Scotland and also the standards expected from employers.

As an employer it’s important your staff and the people using your service know about the Codes, so staff know what’s expected of them and people using services know the standard of care they can expect and your staff are part of a registered, professional workforce.

Demonstrating the Codes in practice in your service reassures you, your staff and individuals receiving care that the standards in the Codes are being met.

How to use this toolkit

You can use this toolkit to:

  • introduce the Codes during staff induction
  • support team discussions and supervision
  • reassure people using services and their families
  • demonstrate your commitment to professional standards.

Sharing the Codes

Sharing information about the Codes highlights that your staff are part of a registered and regulated professional workforce delivering social work, social care or children and young people services. 

Talking about the Codes helps people be reassured that your staff have the necessary values, knowledge and skills to care for their loved ones.

Linking the Codes, UNCRC rights and Keeping the Promise for people working with children and young people

The Codes, Rights and Keeping the Promise learning resource supports you to use the SSSC Codes of Practice, the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Promise in your practice.

Visit and share the resource.

What can you do?

We have a range of information materials to help you talk about the Codes in your service both with your staff and the people using your service, their families and carers.

Materials to use and share

Key messages you can share
  • Our staff are #SSSCregistered and work to the Codes of Practice.
  • The Codes explain the standards of care you can expect from our service.
  • The Codes show our commitment to professional, safe and high quality care.
Videos

We have two short videos you can use with staff and with people using your service and their families and carers.

Use the videos during induction, training, team meetings and supervision. They can help you encourage Codes conversations across your team.

You can also share them with people using your service to help explain what the Codes mean in day-to-day practice.

Video 1 - What the Codes of Practice are and who they apply to

This video explains what’s expected of registered workers and their employers.

Video 2 - How the Codes are used in practice

This video shows the Codes being used in practice in a care at home and housing support service.

Presentation

We’ve produced a Codes presentation that you can use or adapt in staff meetings, during induction or training. It covers what the Codes are, why they’re important and a reflective exercise to support discussion about the Codes and using them in daily practice.

Download the Codes presentation.

Codes

You can share copies of the Codes with your staff and people using your service.

There are lots of versions of the Codes, including large print, printer friendly, easy read, BSL and other languages on our website Codes page www.sssc.uk.com/codes

You can order pocket sized Codes cards for your service using the form on our website or phoning 0345 60 30 891, providing your mailing address and how many you’d like.

Posters

Put a poster up in your service or staff room.

You can get printed copies of our Codes posters using the form on our website or phone 0345 60 30 891, providing your mailing address and how many you’d like.

Or you can download them from our website Codes page under Codes information materials.https://www.sssc.uk.com/standards/codes-of-practice/

Other languages

We’ve translated the Codes into 24 different languages available on our website.

If you need the Codes translated into another language, please contact communications@sssc.uk.com

You can also contact us if you have any questions about the Codes or other SSSC information materials.

Contact information

Sandra Wilson
Communications Officer
Scottish Social Services Council
media@sssc.uk.com