New National Social Work Agency for Scotland
Scotland’s new National Social Work Agency has been launched today, World Social Work Day.
The National Social Work Agency has been established as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to strengthening support for the social work profession and workforce in Scotland. The agency intends to provide national oversight of social work, co-ordinate policy, advise the Scottish Government, and drive improvements in education and practice.
This new dedicated national body, focused on supporting and developing the profession, will work to help ensure social workers have the skills, training and professional backing they need to improve outcomes for people who rely on social work services.
The National Social Work Agency will operate as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, led by the agency’s Chief Executive, Joanna Macdonald, who is Chief Social Work Adviser to the Scottish Government.
Supporting the launch, the agency has published Valuing Practice: Scotland’s Framework for Social Work Education and Learning, setting out a shared vision for social work education across the career.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance, said:
“Social workers are committed dedicated professionals that work tirelessly to improve the lives of adults, children and families across Scotland. They fulfil a crucial role in assessing need, managing risk and upholding rights as they carry out legal duties across our care and justice systems.
“As a former social worker, I recognise how challenging this work can be and I also know that demand for social work services is high. Through supporting people and families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, social workers make a real and tangible difference to people’s lives, so I am delighted that the National Social Work Agency has been established to support this important profession. It will play a key role in supporting a skilled, sustainable and supported workforce – working to help achieve national priorities, including reducing child poverty, and give this vital profession the national recognition it deserves.”
The website supporting the work of the agency is https://www.socialwork.gov.scot.
Joanna Macdonald, National Social Work Agency Chief Executive, said:
"It is a privilege to mark the launch of the National Social Work Agency on World Social Work Day – a day that recognises the unique contribution social workers make as they walk beside people in their daily lives.
"This investment in education and learning is a significant step forward in strengthening the profession. By widening routes into qualification, expanding practice education and supporting continuous professional learning, we are building a confident, capable workforce equipped for the challenges ahead.
"The National Social Work Agency will work in partnership with national and local government and the profession to provide strong national leadership, champion dignity and human rights, and ensure social workers have the support they need to improve outcomes for people and communities across Scotland. I am proud to lead this new agency as we begin this shared endeavour."
Commenting on the launch of the agency today, Claire Burns, Director of CELCIS, said:
"CELCIS welcomes the creation of the National Social Work Agency. This is an important step in promoting the profession and strengthening support for Scotland’s social work workforce and ensuring that national policy and improvement activity can be shaped by practitioners and what matters most to those who rely on social work services.
“We also welcome the investment in social work education. Investment is essential to make sure social workers are equipped to uphold children’s rights, support and protect those who need help most, and ensure support is high quality, trauma informed and provided with compassion, dignity and respect.”
Read Valuing Practice: Scotland’s Framework for Social Work Education and Learning
Watch Your work. Your agency. Our future. Joanna Macdonald's message to social workers