Joanna Macdonald will take up post as the Scottish government’s new National Chief Social Work Adviser in December.

She will also serve as the Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency, a new body set up by the Care Reform Act to support workforce improvements, when it launches in April 2026.

Joanna has held senior leadership roles across both rural and urban communities in Scotland, most recently as Chief Officer of Clackmannanshire and Stirling Integration Joint Board.

In a post on LinkedIn, Ms Macdonald said:

“It’s an absolute privilege to be appointed and I will work hard to lead on Scotland’s ambition for social work.”

The announcement marks her return to government.

Between 2021 and 2024 she held the post of Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser, where she worked closely with outgoing Chief Social Work Advisor Iona Colvin who is retiring at the end of the year.

Jane Shears, National Director of the Scottish Association of Social Work, welcomed Joanna into her new role, commenting:

“Joanna has a wealth of experience across the sector and we look forward to collaborating with her in her new role.”

“This is an exciting time to lead the profession, ensuring the delivery of social work services is underpinned by social justice and human rights.

“We wish Joanna all the very best in her new role at this critical time for social work in Scotland, and look forward to working with her again.”

The new National Social Work Agency will see local authorities, Scottish government and professional leadership body Social Work Scotland come together to improve policy coordination and recognition of the profession at national level.

The agency will support the work of the National Chief Social Work Adviser and support and drive improvement across the social work sector when it officially launches next spring.

The Scottish government said this new dual appointment ‘marks a significant step forward in strengthening social work leadership and collaboration across Scotland’.

The Director of leadership body Social Work Scotland, Ben Farrugia, said the team is "delighted" to hear of the appointment:

"We’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Joanna in her time as a Social Work Scotland board member and Chair of the Adults Social Work Standing Committee.

"Joanna brings a wealth of experience to the role at a challenging yet exciting time for social work in Scotland. We look forward to future collaboration, particularly through the Scottish Social Work Partnership, and wish her the very best.”

 

 

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