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I know that there has been discussion in Government about it in relation to other aspects of the portfolio, such as the Promise—which, obviously, I am not here to talk about. It is something that I believe the Government is interested in. If we can secure funds to improve the lives of people in Scotland, we are absolutely committed to doing so.

I was keen to learn more about the public trust model but, with regard to this specific bill, I do not believe that it is suitable to include that model in a statutory duty. With a statutory duty, funding has to be guaranteed year on year via the budget process. With a public trust model, there could be years when private investment was not forthcoming, which would mean that the Government would be responsible for paying a higher share, however the proportions were originally worked out. Public trust funding is not reliable. Although it works in other areas and could be used to improve the estate, it is not viable to include it in the statutory duties that would be introduced by the bill.

Thank you very much, convener and committee members, for inviting me to speak to the draft Registration of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in Care Services (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024.

The regulations are relatively straightforward in that they amend the timescale in which an individual must apply for registration to the Scottish Social Services Council. This Scottish statutory instrument plays an essential part in the Scottish Social Services Council’s future-proofing programme suite of work, which seeks to modernise and simplify registration to ensure that the service that is provided is fit for future need and that public protection is always at the forefront.

Existing legislation currently requires all individuals who must be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council to apply for registration “as soon as reasonably practicable after starting work”, with a six-month timescale for registration to be complete. Although the six-month timescale to fully gain registration will still be in place, the draft SSI seeks to amend the timescale for applying for registration to three months. That change will set a much clearer expectation for workers.

When the future-proofing programme was developed, it was identified that individuals who are required to register as part of taking on a role in care often left it very close to the deadline to apply for registration, which could impact their continued employment if it was not completed in time. The amendment will bring greater clarity on what is expected and will encourage people to apply for their registration sooner.

The change will reduce the overall timescale and the gap between an individual starting employment and their fitness to practice being assessed and it will lead to greater public protection by deeming whether an individual meets the standards of character, conduct and competence that are necessary for them to do their job safely and effectively in line with the Scottish Social Services Council’s codes of practice.

The SSSC carried out a consultation on its future-proofing programme, which ran between December 2021 and March 2022. The consultation received more than 6,500 responses, of which 91 per cent were from registrants. In relation to the proposals that I have brought before the committee today, 78 per cent of about 3,000 responses agreed that three months after starting their role was an appropriate timescale in which to require workers to apply for registration and 75 per cent agreed that that would make it easier for employers to comply with requirements.

The Scottish Government then carried out a consultation late in 2023, which concluded in January 2024, focusing on three imminent aspects of the future-proofing programme. The change to registration timescales was one aspect and 77 per cent of respondents to the consultation, including 10 key stakeholder groups, agreed with the proposed amendment of the registration timescales.

Although the majority of respondents were supportive, some concerns were raised. The key issues were the potential burden on SSSC staff during the transition phase; that three months are too short a timescale for new workers; and how the change would interact with the standard six-month probationary period to which workers are subject.

In light of those concerns, further investigation was carried out. Accordingly, staff at the SSSC will receive appropriate training on implementing the changes ahead of their going live, and new and probationary workers will receive support from their employer to gain registration, with the obligation continuing to fall on the employer to ensure that the timeframe is met.

Guidance and information are currently being sent directly to employers to make them aware of the changes. The SSSC is hosting online events for employers and workers, up to and after the launch of the legislation and the new changes on 3 June 2024.

The SSSC has also published full details on its website of all the changes that are being made as part of the future-proofing programme, including an employer’s toolkit. That includes information on the three-month deadline, and states that anyone starting a role from 3 June 2024 will be subject to the three-month registration period.

Ensuring that the law is clear on by when an individual should be registered creates a driver for employers and workers to meet the mandatory timescale. Clarifying the timescale for applying for registration lessens any potential risks to those receiving services, who include some of our most vulnerable citizens.

The legislation before the committee is an essential part of a process that is designed to ensure that public safety is at the heart of social services in Scotland. I hope that members will support the instrument.

We would hope—we are sure—that employers will support their employees with that. As I said in my opening statement, SSSC published a page on its website in March that details all the changes to registration as part of its future-proofing programme. That includes information on the three-month registration deadline, which states that anyone starting from 3 June will be subject to that period. SSSC is also sending information directly to employers, so that they are aware of the changes. It is holding a series of online events for employers and workers to ensure that any questions are answered and that nothing is left unturned.

There would be support. I will ask officials to come in with some of the detail on that.

I have nothing further to add, thank you.

Motion moved,

That the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee recommends that the Registration of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in Care Services (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved.—[Natalie Don]

Motion agreed to.

Yes.

Yes.

Those are not concerns that are being raised with me now. As I said, when I met Children’s Hearings Scotland prior to the summer, it was very enthusiastic and hopeful about the recruitment campaign that it was about to run. I understand that the recruitment campaign did not take in as many volunteers or new panel members as we had hoped, but it is for the national convener to decide on how best to proceed on attracting panel members.

As I said, a number of matters are being considered in relation to the children’s hearings system redesign—not just the role of panel members—which could help with future capacity.

I have no further comments to make. I press amendment 112.

I understand that some committee members, in their scrutiny of the bill, have highlighted concerns about children who have committed an offence being placed in secure accommodation with other children. That was raised this morning. I also note from last week’s committee session that there is a need for further reassurance on the safeguarding measures that are in place in secure accommodation.

All of Scotland’s secure accommodation providers offer an integrated model of delivery. There is a long-established understanding that all children who have been placed in secure accommodation have experienced or are experiencing extreme needs, risks and vulnerabilities in their lives.

I appreciate that amendments 108 and 109, in the name of Roz McCall, are probing amendments, but they would go against that approach. Committee members can be confident in the existing experience and expertise of secure accommodation providers in matching children to placements and managing the needs and risk profiles of each child who enters secure accommodation. Individualised risk assessments and plans are made to meet each child’s needs, ensuring that the safety and protection of children and staff are at the core of the decision making.