A COSLA Spokesperson commented today on the publication of Social Work Scotland’s Setting the Bar report:

‘The social work profession plays a crucial role in improving the lives of people in Scotland and across the lifespan. Social Work Scotland’s report rightfully spotlights the significant challenges that social work professionals have been faced with for some time now. Years of underinvestment in Local Government by Scottish Government, alongside an increase in ringfenced funding have resulted in pressure on the system, and our workforce, to deliver more with less. As we work to Keep the Promise for our children and young people, and to improve the delivery of preventative, person-led support at a local level, there must also be urgent and long-term investment in the whole system that drives these ambitions.

We are clear that we cannot wait for the creation of a National Care Service to drive the improvements that are needed across the social care sector and social work profession. COSLA is committed at a national level to improving the working experience, development opportunities, and wellbeing of our social work workforce so that they feel enabled and empowered to improve the lives of our communities. We will continue to work in partnership with Social Work Scotland and the Scottish Government to address these challenges urgently and meaningfully.’