About us - Introduction

In this section you will find out information about our work to improve and regulate standards in the social care workforce. It introduces the Council Members and staff responsible for making this happen and contains copies of Corporate Plans, Annual Reports and minutes from Council meetings.

Downloadable document ...

Northern Ireland Social Care Council is the regulatory body for the social care workforce in Northern Ireland. Its aim is to increase the protection of those using social care services, their carers and the public. NISCC was legally established on October 1, 2001 by the Health and Personal Social Services Act (Northern Ireland) 2001. It is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI). NISCC is one of 13 health and social care regulators established to make professionals meet agreed standards.

There are over 30,000 social care staff in Northern Ireland who work with some of the most vulnerable people in our society. People using social care services are entitled to be helped by staff with training and qualifications suitable to their job. Within the next few years, everyone involved in providing or delivering social work and social care services will be registered with the Council. This means the public can be confident that social care staff and employers will meet agreed standards of conduct, practice, education and training. Those who do not meet the NISCC registration standards will be accountable to the Council and may be removed from the register.

NISCC is also the the Sector Skills Council for Social Care Children and Young People in NI. Our title is 'Skills for Care & Development and we are part of a UK alliance of Skills for Care (previously known as Topss England), the Children's Workforce Development Council for England, the Care Council for Wales, the Scottish Social Services Council and NISCC. The main aim for Skills for Care & Development is to ensure a much better qualified workforce and to assist with workforce planning and development.

NISCC's objectives are:

• To deliver a service that meets the needs of the sector by working in partnership with users of social care services, their carers and key stakeholders.
• To strengthen public protection through registration of the social care workforce.
• To ensure that social care staff, supported by employers, meet agreed standards of conduct and practice.
• To improve the quality of social care through the development, promotion and regulation of education and training.
• To strengthen and support the professionalism of the social care workforce.

NISCC Chair is Dr Jeremy Harbison.
He brings with him a wealth of relevant experience in a range of different jobs connected with the Health and Personal Social Services, first as a clinical psychologist, later working at a strategic and board level in the Department. Dr Harbison has direct experience of social care services and will bring a strong user perspective to the Council.

NISCC Chief Executive, Mr Brendan Johnston
Was previously Assistant Director of Social Services, Western Health and Social Services Board. He has been working at Board level since 1986 as well as across the wider health and social care community through his contribution to social care education and training. His record of cross border work and membership of district partnerships established under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation will provide crucial experience and breadth of perspective to the work of the NISCC.

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