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Over 20 years experience of training in the care sector
Call us on
020 3129 5667
Revised Codes of Professional Practice for social care workers and employers came into effect across Wales on 1 July 2026. The previous 2018 codes are no longer in use. Social Care Wales says the new versions are shorter and clearer, while the underlying standards of practice and behaviour remain the same.
For providers, this is more than a document replacement exercise. Workers need to know which Code applies and how it relates to everyday practice.
What are the Codes of Professional Practice?
There are two connected codes:
The Workers’ Code sets out the standards of conduct and practice expected of people working in social care in Wales. Registered workers must follow it, but Social Care Wales also expects workers who are not currently required to register to work to the same standards.
The Employers’ Code describes what organisations must do to maintain a safe, skilled and appropriately supported workforce. For services regulated under Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, providers must adhere to it, and Care Inspectorate Wales can act where this staffing requirement is not met.
What has changed?
Social Care Wales has not introduced completely different professional standards. The main changes make the Codes simpler and more accessible, supported by updated practice guidance. The Workers’ Code also gives clearer prominence to anti-discrimination.
Providers may not need to rebuild every policy or course, but they should update outdated references and make sure staff understand the current expectations.
What should workers understand?
The revised Workers’ Code continues to focus on person-centred, safe and accountable practice. Workers are expected to help people express what matters to them, respect their rights and wishes, promote well-being, act honestly and work within their competence.
In practice, this includes:
The Code should guide everyday decisions rather than being read only during induction.
Equality and anti-discrimination
The clearer focus on anti-discrimination is an important feature of the revised Code. Workers should not only avoid discriminatory conduct; they should also challenge or report discrimination and support the rights of people receiving care, carers and colleagues.
This may include responding to inappropriate language, respecting cultural or religious needs, adapting communication and recognising when personal assumptions influence practice.
Employers need policies, reporting routes and a culture that allows workers to raise concerns safely. A policy has limited value if staff do not understand it or believe concerns will be ignored.
Professional boundaries and online behaviour
Professional boundaries protect both the person receiving support and the worker. They apply to relationships with individuals, families, carers and colleagues.
Workers should understand the risks of:
Conduct outside work can also affect trust in social care. Social media, confidentiality and professional-boundary expectations should therefore be clear.
Speaking up and reporting concerns
Workers have a responsibility to challenge or report unsafe, abusive, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate practice.
They need to know what to report, who to tell, how to record factual information, when to escalate and what to do if the usual manager is unavailable.
Employers must have systems that support all workers, including agency staff, to meet the Code and raise concerns about unsafe or undignified care.
Confidentiality should not be used as a reason to ignore a safeguarding concern. Information should be shared through the correct channels and in line with law, policy and the person’s safety.
Learning, supervision and reflection
Training completion alone does not show that someone can apply the Code.
Workers need opportunities to discuss practice, receive feedback and identify development needs. Supervision can explore one part of the Code at a time using questions such as:
The Employers’ Code requires organisations to support workers to meet the Workers’ Code and associated guidance. Employers must also make workers aware of both Codes and support managers with their additional responsibilities.
What should employers do now?
Providers in Wales should take five practical steps.
Remove the 2018 Codes from shared folders, induction materials and staff handbooks. Make the current Codes and guidance easy to access.
Explain that the new Codes took effect on 1 July 2026, the previous versions are no longer in use and the standards remain broadly consistent.
Check references within induction, supervision, safeguarding, equality, social media, professional boundaries and speaking-up materials.
Use realistic situations and reflective questions rather than asking workers only to confirm that they have read it.
The Employers’ Code says individuals and carers should be made aware of the Codes and told how to raise issues with the employer or Social Care Wales.
Is completely new training required?
Not necessarily. Because the fundamental standards have not changed, a proportionate response may involve a concise briefing, updated documents and focused reflective learning.
More detailed training may be appropriate where audits, incidents, complaints or supervision identify gaps in safeguarding, equality, recording, professional boundaries or speaking up.
New workers should be introduced to the revised Code during induction, and existing workers should have an opportunity to understand what has changed.
Making the Codes part of everyday practice
The revised Codes are intended to be clearer, but their value depends on how they are used.
Workers should recognise the Code in everyday actions: listening to people, respecting choices, maintaining boundaries, recording accurately, reporting concerns and asking for help.
Employers must make this possible through safer recruitment, effective induction, suitable learning, regular supervision and responsive leadership.
CareTutor provides learning for care and support workers, leaders and managers in Wales, including courses developed around Welsh legislation and workforce expectations. Digital learning should be supported by local procedures, reflective discussion and workplace competence assessment where required.
Codes of Professional Practice and guidance | Social Care Wales
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