GSCC: Social work bursary transfers to NHS Business Services Authority

Monday, 05, Mar 2007 12:00

By 1 April 2007, the social work bursary and postgraduate bursary service will be transferred from the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

The change follows a review undertaken by the Department of Health (DH) in 2004 of its Arms Length Bodies in 2004, of which the GSCC is one. The review concluded that all health and social care student bursaries should be administered by one single body, the NHSBSA.

The transfer is straightforward with the NHSBSA the new service administrator of the bursary scheme. From 1 April 2007, all enquiries on bursary matters and applications should be directed to the NHSBSA.

The GSCC and the NHSBSA have been working together with the Department of Health (DH) to ensure the transfer goes as smoothly as possible. The GSCC have sent relevant information about the transfer to all social work students, including postgraduate students, Higher Education Institutions, local authorities, relevant government departments and other relevant business stakeholders.

The information sent out details how the transfer will take affect, how the NHSBSA can be contacted from the 1 April 2007 and the logistics of when payments are being made to social work and postgraduate students and Higher Education Institutions.

1. The NHSBSA was established in 2006 to undertake a range of administration services for the NHS and social care bodies. It is already the main processing facility for payment, reimbursement, remuneration and reconciliation for NHS patients, employees and other student bursaries.

2. More than 90,000 social workers and student social workers are on the Social Care Register (SCR) maintained by the GSCC. The register is public and accessible on the GSCC's website www.gscc.org.uk. The GSCC was set up in England under the Care Standards Act 2000.

3. The GSCC is the regulator of the social care workforce in England set up to promote high standards in social care and to protect the public. All social workers need to be registered with the GSCC, meeting standards of training, suitability and commitment to high standards. They are accountable for maintaining high standards of conduct to the GSCC. Action can be taken against social workers who fall below these standards or who are not suitable to hold the responsibilities of being a social worker. Decisions are taken to protect the public interests and those of the 1.6 million people who use social care services.