What is the VCPR?

The VCPR is a voluntary register, developed independently and without any official mandate from government. As such, the VCPR does not place any obligation on anyone to register and will not have any regulatory function or be qualification based. However, it will be peer led, values based have an expectation from those who have chosen to be on the register to observe the cultures and behaviours of those expected of a care professional, adhere to a Code of Conduct, and to carry out their work to the highest of standards. 

The Purpose of the VCPR

The VCPR has been established as a direct result of the findings contained within the IHSCM's "A People Plan for Social Care". It has the support of many working in the social care sector in England. Its objective is to promote public confidence in the social care workforce in England, where, unlike the devolved regions of the UK, there is currently no registration provision of any kind. 

The VCPR is a peer led and values based register of individuals who are trained and competent in providing care and support, who agree to uphold professional and ethical standards through a comprehensive code of conduct, and who have independently and voluntarily chosen to have an entry on the register. It's aim are to:

• ensure that care professionals keep up to date and maintain competence
• engender a sense of professionalism
• promote high standards among professional care workers. Voluntary registration is designed to assure the public and employers that multidisciplinary social care workers are appropriately trained and competent.

It does place an obligation on registrants to meet standards that will be recognised throughout England and aim to provide a level of public protection from unprofessional or unethical behaviour. It also seeks to enhance professional recognition of social care professionals.

The Register is explicit in its commitment to uphold professional cultures, behaviour and values. The general professional expectations of all VCPR registrants are set out in the registers' codes and standards of care practice,  "Code of Professional Practice & Conduct (the Code)’. Every applicant for registration must state that they understand the Code and will agree to abide by it.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS Checks)

Even thought the VCPR is a voluntary register, it must nevertheless uphold and demonstrate the highest commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable. Therefore it will be a condition of registration for all registrants to upload a copy of their DBS Certificate at the point of registration. Failure to do so, will result in your application for registration being rejected.

Who the Register is For? 

The Register is open to any social care professional working in the social care sector in England, and any other care professional not currently required to mandatory register in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland, including those who are self employed (micro provider)

What is the Registration Fee?

• As registration is voluntary, there is no registration fee.

Once Registered.

Care professionals will need to renew annually to maintain their registration. 

Removal from the Voluntary Register

If we are made aware of any conduct or an allegation that falls below the required standard, or calls into question whether a registrant should remain on the register. We reserve the right to remove a registrant from the register..

As the VCPR is a voluntary register, a list of those removed from the register will not be made public, however details will be kept internally.