Codes of Professional Practice and guidance

To make sure workers in Wales provide you with good care and support, we have two codes of practice:

• Code of Professional Practice for Social Care Workers (the Workers' Code)
• Code of Professional Practice for Social Care Employers (the Employers' Code).

The codes are standards that set out what’s expected of people working in social care, to help keep the public safe.

✅ Everyone who’s registered with us must follow the Workers’ Code.

📢The codes are changing

We’ve updated our Codes of Professional Practice for social care workers and employers in Wales to make them clearer and easier to follow.

📆From 1 July 2026, everyone working in social care in Wales will need to follow the new codes.

What’s changed?

We listened to feedback, and we’ve made the codes simpler and shorter. We’ve also updated our practice guidance, which explains how to apply the Workers’ Code in day-to-day practice.

The standards of practice and behaviour haven’t changed.

Registered social care workers are responsible for making sure they work to the standards in the Workers’ Code. They must:

• help the people they care for say and achieve what matters to them
• respect individuals’ views, rights and wishes
• support individuals’ well­-being and help keep them safe
• be honest, trustworthy and reliable
• be qualified to do their job properly.

Between now and 1 July 2026:

If you’re a social care worker or employer, you should still follow the current codes. Please familiarise yourself with the new codes so you’re ready to start using them from 1 July.

We’ll be holding events so you can learn more about the changes and ask us any questions you may have.

From 1 July 2026:

The current codes and practice guidance will be replaced and we expect everyone to work to the new codes.

Social care workers help you live your life in the way that you want.

They should always consider your personal well-being and what matters to you. They will be trained and supervised so that they can provide you with high quality care and support to help you live the life that matters to you.

Read our 'You and your social care worker' leaflet to find out more.

• You and your social care worker

If you have a concern about a social care worker.

1. Read the Workers' Code to check the standards
2. Share your concerns with your care worker’s employer and ask what they will do
3. If the employer doesn’t address your concerns, you can ask for a copy of their complaints procedure to help you know what to do next
4. If the worker is registered with us and talking to the employer hasn’t helped, Raise your concern with us and will reply to you by phone or by email depending on your preference.

If you're concerned about the standard of care provided by a company or organisation, you can contact Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) on 0300 7900 126 or by e-mail on ciw@gov.wales.

What to do if you think someone is being abused or if someone is abusing you

If you think someone is being abused or if someone is abusing you, don’t assume that someone else is doing something about it. The abuse does not have to be by a social care worker specifically, this can be anyone. Make your safeguarding concerns known to a person in authority that you feel comfortable speaking to, for example:

• If someone is in immediate danger dial 999
• Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) or call 0300 7900 126
• If you believe a crime has been committed, contact your local police on 101
• Regional Safeguarding Board websites
• For further information about the help available see Dewis.Wales' website
• Your Local Authority Social Services (or out of hours telephone number).

If you have a question or if you can't find what you are looking for get in touch with us.