If you're working in care in Scotland, or thinking about it, you'll come across the SSSC pretty quickly. It's one of those things that sounds more complicated than it actually is, but it's important to get right.
Here's everything you need to know, without the jargon.
What is the SSSC?
The SSSC stands for the Scottish Social Services Council. It's the body that regulates people working in social care in Scotland, similar to how the NMC regulates nurses or the GTC regulates teachers.
In simple terms, the SSSC keeps a register of everyone working in social care in Scotland. If you work in a care home, provide care at home, work in housing support, adult day care, or children's services, you need to be on that register.
It exists to protect the people who use care services. By registering workers and setting standards, the SSSC makes sure everyone in the sector is qualified, accountable, and working to a consistent level of professionalism.
Do I need to register?
If you're working in any of the following roles in Scotland, yes:
- Care home staff (for adults or older people)
- Care at home workers
- Housing support workers
- Adult day care workers
- Children's residential care workers
- Early years workers
If you're working in any of these roles in Scotland, you need to be on the SSSC register.
If you're an agency carer working shifts in Scotland, this applies to you too. It doesn't matter whether you're permanent, temporary, or agency. If you're doing the work, you need to be registered.
How do I register?
The process is straightforward. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Start your role. You need to be working in the role before you can apply. You can't register in advance.
Step 2: Apply within 3 months. Once you start, you should apply for registration as soon as possible and within three months.
Step 3: Be registered within 6 months. You must be fully registered within six months of starting your role.
Step 4: Create a MySSSC account. Head to the SSSC website and create an account at mysssc.sssc.uk.com. This is where you manage your registration, pay fees, and keep your details up to date.
Step 5: Pay your fee. For support workers, it's currently £25 per year (this is due to increase to £37 from 2026-27). You can pay online through MySSSC or by phone using Tonepay.
Step 6: Meet the qualification requirements. You don't need a qualification to register initially. But once registered, you'll have up to three years to complete a relevant qualification, usually an SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF level 6 or 7.
What qualifications do I need?
Here's where people often get confused. You don't need to already have a qualification to register. You just need to commit to working towards one.
For most care roles, the relevant qualification is an SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF level 6 (for support workers) or level 7 (for supervisors and practitioners). Your employer should support you with this, and there's funding available from the Scottish Government to help cover the costs.
If you already hold a relevant qualification from elsewhere in the UK, it may be accepted. The SSSC has a tool on their website that helps you work out exactly what's needed for your specific role.
What are the SSSC Codes of Practice?
When you register, you agree to follow the SSSC Codes of Practice. These were updated in 2024 and they set out the standards of conduct and practice expected of everyone working in social care in Scotland.
They're not complicated. They cover things like protecting the rights of people who use services, maintaining trust, being accountable for your work, and keeping your skills up to date. Essentially, it's a framework for doing the job properly and professionally.
Your employer also has their own set of codes they need to follow, including making sure you have the training and support to meet these standards.
What happens if I don't register?
This is the bit people sometimes overlook. Registration isn't optional. If your role requires SSSC registration and you don't have it, your employer can't legally keep you in that role.
The Care Inspectorate checks that services are compliant, and having unregistered staff is a serious issue for any care provider. It can affect their inspection grades and their ability to operate.
For you personally, not being registered means you can't work in a regulated care role in Scotland. It's not a grey area.
How much does it cost?
The fees are pretty reasonable, though they are going up over the next few years. Here's what you'll pay annually:
Support workers:
- 2025-26: £25 per year
- From 2026-27: £37 per year
Practitioners and supervisors:
- 2025-26: £35 per year
- Rising to £51 per year by 2029-30
Social workers:
- 2025-26: £88 per year
- Rising by £8 per year, reaching £120 by 2029
Social work students:
- £15 per year (frozen, no planned increase)
Registration lasts for five years (three years for social workers), and you pay annually. Some employers cover the cost for you, so it's always worth asking.
How long does registration last?
Once registered, your registration is valid for five years. Before it expires, you'll need to renew it. Renewal involves confirming you've kept your skills and knowledge up to date through continuous professional learning (CPL).
The SSSC will remind you when renewal is due, and you can manage the whole process through your MySSSC account.
Moving to Scotland from elsewhere in the UK
If you're already working in care in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and you're thinking about picking up shifts in Scotland, you'll need to register with the SSSC. There's no equivalent mandatory register in England, so this might be new to you.
The good news is that your existing experience and qualifications will likely count towards your registration. The SSSC recognises qualifications from across the UK, so you won't necessarily need to start from scratch.
How we do it at Nexo People: If you're interested in picking up shifts with Nexo People in Scotland, you'll need to be SSSC registered. This guide covers everything you need to get set up. Once you're registered, we can get you working straight away.
Quick summary
- The SSSC is the regulator for social care workers in Scotland
- If you work in care in Scotland, you need to be registered
- Apply within 3 months of starting, be registered within 6
- It costs £25 per year for support workers
- You don't need a qualification to register, but you'll need to work towards one within 3 years
- Agency carers need to register too
- Your employer should support you through the process
Once you're SSSC registered and ready to explore agency work in Scotland, get in touch with Nexo People. We'll help you find the best opportunities in your area, with flexible shifts, great support, and work that fits around your life.