New research shows huge public support for regulation of the social care workforce.

Research by NOP for the General Social Care Council found that 93 per cent were in favour of regulation. The news comes two weeks before the Social Care Register is launched across the UK.

Forum Response: General Social Care Council

Rodney Brooke, chair of the General Social Care Council, said: "This research reflects public support for regulation. The launch of the register is indeed good news for the public, who will benefit from higher standards of care and public protection.

"But it is also good news for the social care workforce. This survey shows there is progress to be made in public understanding of the vital work they do. Effective regulation with service users at its heart is a first vital step forward in transforming the profession and the public's perception of it.

"Registration is one part of the essential change which is sweeping through the social care sector. The year 2003 marks a year of real transformation for social care: a new degree for social workers, ongoing demand for the codes of practice launched last year, and the start of registration of the biggest workforce in the UK.

"The changes cover public, private and voluntary sectors of social care work - a big step forward in making sure those we care for are protected by high quality, and consistent regulation."

Forum Response: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Matt Grainger, public affairs manager at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "We would be very happy to see the introduction of registration for social care staff, not just as a check on individuals but, vitally, as a way towards improving public confidence.

"Social workers and care workers do work which is absolutely essential and often do it in extremely difficult circumstances. In return, they receive poor pay and low status. Introducing regulation of the care professions should help to improve this situation, as well as ensuring consistent standards of care."

Forum Response: Royal College of Nursing

A spokesman for the Royal College of Nursing told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the creation of the four social care councils. It is important for the public to know that standards are developed and promoted in a consistent manner. The survey shows that regulation may enhance the respect that the public has for social workers.

"The Royal College of Nursing has been working with the four social care councils and looks forward to maintaining a good working relationship."

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "I hope that both the public support and the support shown by professionals will lead to tangible improvements in the care for older people.

"We must guard against regulation that ticks boxes and move towards regulation that improves services for users."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Annie Stevenson, social care policy officer at Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome and endorse the idea that social care professionals should be registered and regulated - indeed, we see no alternative, not least because it would be a step towards properly valuing the social care workforce.

"Equally, accountability in the sector, along with established standards of professional practice, will directly improve quality of care for older people."

Forum Response: Barnardo's

Pam Hibbert, principal policy officer at Barnardo's, told ePolitix.com: "Barnardo's fully supports both the introduction of the Social Care Register and the employer's code of practice, which we are committed to adopting.

"Social work has been something of an embattled profession over the past few years and it is important that all of us involved in social care recognise the need to promote improved standards. The new register will undoubtedly increase our ability to safeguard the vulnerable children with whom we work - and it should increase the confidence of both service users and the public in general in the professional abilities of social workers."