Proposals to establish a social work-specific government adviser and a national agency to support their work will move ahead, the Scottish government has confirmed.

Following major cuts to the National Care Service Bill, the Scottish government has added in provisions to support the delivery of a Chief Social Work Adviser and a national social work agency.

The advisor role will look to bring strategic national leadership to the profession, while a national social work agency will aim to support improvements to education, training, workforce development and conditions.

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Maree Todd said that social care has the “power to transform lives” and committed to help more people access services and high-quality care across Scotland.

Social work leaders have welcomed the plans.

This will take the form of a formal partnership between government, local authority organisation COSLA and Social Work Scotland.

Previous plans for the agency excluding local authorities had raised alarm bells among sector leaders who said such a social work agency would lack teeth.

Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) National Director Alison Bavidge told healthandcare.scot that this marks a “welcome step” to uplift the profession:

“We have campaigned on behalf of our members for a higher profile for social work with Scottish government for some time.

“The creation of a national social work agency and putting the National Chief Social Work Adviser within statute is a welcome step to ensure the profession which has a wide reach into so many of our public support services has influence and recognition and that government policy on social work aligns.

“In addition, we are pleased to see the commitment for a national social work partnership between government, COSLA and Social Work Scotland being confirmed.

“Together these changes form a foundation to improve social services for everyone.”

Ms Bavidge added that her organisation will review the latest proposals and work with the government to ensure it delivers for both social workers and the people of Scotland.

John Trainer, Convenor of Social Work Scotland, told healthandcare.scot that for the new social work agency to deliver lasting change, leaders from across the sector must be included in its development:

“We welcome the establishment of a new executive agency within Scottish government, led by the Chief Social Work Adviser, ensuring improved policy coordination and recognition of the profession at the national level.

“To achieve meaningful and lasting change, the new agency will require the credibility and influence that comes through partnership with the sector and the active buy-in of senior leaders.

“We look forward to supporting the Scottish government in the design of the new agency and the wider strategic partnership.”

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