The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) sets the professional standards for social service workers across Scotland. Whether you’re a care provider, family member, or someone receiving care, understanding these codes helps you ensure that care is safe, ethical, person-led, and professional.
What Are the SSSC Codes of Practice?
The SSSC Codes of Practice are a set of guidelines and expectations for:
- Social service workers, including carers, support staff, and supervisors
- Employers, including care agencies and organisations that hire and manage staff
These codes promote high-quality care by outlining the behaviours, responsibilities, and values expected in the sector.
Why it matters: Registered workers must follow these codes to remain in good standing and maintain their registration.
The Six Core Codes for Workers
Every social service worker in Scotland is expected to:
1. Protect the rights and promote the interests of service users and carers
- Treat people with dignity and respect
- Support individuals to make their own choices
- Promote independence and active participation
2. Strive to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of service users and carers
- Be honest, reliable, and dependable
- Communicate openly and respectfully
- Build strong professional relationships
3. Promote the independence of service users while protecting them from harm
- Recognise risks and take action to prevent harm
- Respect personal safety and dignity
- Report concerns or abuse promptly
4. Respect the rights of service users while seeking to ensure that their behaviour does not harm themselves or others
- Respond to challenging behaviour with care and professionalism
- Set clear boundaries while showing compassion
- Work in partnership to find solutions
5. Uphold public trust and confidence in social services
- Behave professionally at work and in public
- Do not misuse your position or exploit individuals
- Avoid any behaviour that may damage the sector’s reputation
6. Be accountable for the quality of your work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills
- Reflect on your practice regularly
- Complete relevant training and development
- Work within your competence and seek help when needed
Responsibilities for Employers
Care providers and agencies must:
- Support and supervise their staff properly
- Ensure workers are registered and trained
- Take action if the Codes are not being followed
- Create a safe, fair, and respectful workplace
Why These Codes Matter to You
Whether you’re receiving care, managing a loved one’s care, or employing care staff, the Codes offer:
- Transparency – You know what standards to expect
- Accountability – Staff are answerable to a professional body
- Confidence – You can trust that care is being delivered with integrity
- Safety – You are protected from poor or dangerous practice
How Lerue Healthcare Upholds the SSSC Codes
At Lerue Healthcare, we take the SSSC Codes seriously. All our staff:
- Are registered, trained, and regularly assessed
- Receive supervision and ongoing professional development
- Work under a culture of respect, compassion, and continuous improvement
- Report safeguarding issues promptly and responsibly
We don’t just follow the rules — we live by them.
Need More Info?
- Read the Full Codes of Practice on the SSSC Website
- Contact Lerue for a copy of our Code-aligned policies
- Call us if you’d like to know more about how we uphold these values in daily care delivery
Choosing care is choosing trust.
With Lerue, you choose a team that’s qualified, accountable, and deeply committed to your well-being.