Dedicated body to drive improvement and support social work
workforce.
Scotland's National Social Work Agency (NSWA) has launched on
World Social Work Day, marking a significant shift in how the
social work profession is supported, developed and championed
nationally.
The Agency will provide oversight of social work across
Scotland, coordinating national policy and driving improvements
in education and practice across the profession and advising the
Scottish Government. Social work will now have a dedicated
national body focused on supporting and developing the profession
– helping ensure social workers have the skills, training and
professional support they need to improve outcomes for some of
Scotland's most vulnerable people.
To support the NSWA's ambitions, almost £1 million of Scottish
Government funding has been committed to social work education.
The £994,000 will be delivered by the Scottish Social Services
Council across three strands: enabling 64 new social workers to
qualify via distance learning; supporting up to 100 postgraduate
practice educators; and helping up to 50 students complete Mental
Health Officer training. Together, these strands directly address
workforce shortages in some of the most demanding areas of
practice.
The launch also saw the publication of ‘Valuing Practice:
Scotland's Framework for Social Work Education and Learning',
providing a shared vision for social work education across the
career.
The NSWA will operate as an Executive Agency of the Scottish
Government, led by National Chief Social Work Adviser Joanna
Macdonald, who will also serve as Chief Executive.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs 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.”
National Chief Social Work Adviser and NSWA Chief Executive
Joanna Macdonald 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."
Maree Allison, Chief Executive of the Scottish Social Services
Council, said:
“I'm pleased to join the Cabinet Secretary and Joanna today in
welcoming the National Social Work Agency and new funding for
social work education and learning to support social workers'
development.
“Alongside this, publication of Valuing Practice: Scotland's
Framework for Social Work Education and Learning, which includes
the SSSC's new Standards in Social Work Education, is another
important milestone for the profession. It provides one national
framework to support professional learning for social workers
from the day they start university to retirement, setting out
clear standards to support social workers at all levels.”
Background
The National Social Work Agency
will also work in partnership with local government and the
social work sector through the Scottish Social Work Partnership,
bringing together the Agency, COSLA and Social Work Scotland.
The Scottish Social Services Council regulates the social work,
social care and children and young people workforce in Scotland.
The National Chief Social Work Adviser is statutorily responsible
for advising Scottish Ministers on policy in relation to social
work and the protection of individuals at risk of harm, as set
out in the Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.
