Useful Websites

ACTAN (Association for Care Training & Assessment Networks)
A national organisation promoting and sharing  best practice with those involved in training, education and development within the social care sector.
www.actan.org.uk

Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship offers on the job training, study for a nationally recognised qualificaiton and earn money, all at the same time. For information see
www.apprenticeships.org.uk

CCWales (Care Council for Wales)
Established by the Welsh Assembly in 2001 to secure higher standards of practice and training across the social care workforce in Wales.
www.ccwales.org.uk

Children's Workforce Development Council for England
One of the 5 bodies which form part of the federated UK body Skills for Care and Development, the CWDC aims to improve outcomes for children and young people by enhancing the role of the workforce.
www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

CSCI (Commission for Social Care Inspection)
Independent inspectorate for all social care services in England.
www.csci.org.uk

GSCC (General Social Care Council)
Established in 2001, the GSCC is the guardian of standards for the social care workforce in England. The GSCC registers social care workers and regulates their conduct and training.
www.gscc.org.uk

NISCC (Northern Ireland Social Care Council)
Responsible for raising standards in education, training and regulation in the Northern Ireland Social Care workforce.
www.niscc.info

Skills for Care
Part of the Skills for Care and Development alliance, Skills for Care is the employment led strategic body for workforce development in adult social care in England. (TOPSS became Skills for Care in April 2005).
www.skillsforcare.org.uk

Skills for Health
Established as an SSC in April 2002, Skills for Health is involved in strategic workforce development across the whole healthcare workforce agenda.
www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

UKCES (UK Commission for Employment and Skills)
Launched on 1 April 2008, UKCES is a key recommendation in Lord Leitch's 2006 review of skills. The Commission aims to raise UK prosperity and opportunity by improving employment and skills.
www.ukces.org.uk