Introduction

This Managers Guide is a key component in ensuring public confidence in how Support Workers are employed across NHS Scotland. It is grounded in the principles of patient safety, public protection, and staff wellbeing, and is designed to be embedded in everyday practice across all NHS Scotland organisations.

The guide is intended for managers and supervisors who oversee Support Workers. It outlines your responsibilities in ensuring Support Workers understand, apply, and uphold the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Support Workers. Both parts of the Code—for support workers and for managers—should be used together as a continuous improvement tool, to review, inform and guide practice. Managers are expected to lead by example, actively promoting the Code, and ensure it is consistently applied in practice.