Meeting description: We discussed what currently works well in social work and what needs to change to be more effective for the people of Scotland. We highlighted the importance of social work having more of a role in communities enabling relationship building and early intervention and prevention as well as less siloed working and more generic practice to support families individuals and communities in more holistic and less compartmentalised ways. We also raised working conditions and wellbeing concerns and what needs to be done to address the crisis of recruitment and retention in the profession. We mentioned how 50% of social workers describe their current caseload as not at all manageable 82% of social workers have experienced significant stress because of work and one in four social workers leave within the first 6 years of practice. We discussed the importance of having a bursary for student social workers bringing parity with other students doing public sector work specifically nurses and midwives. We reinforced the importance of a commitment to delivering a National Social Work Agency irrespective of what happens with the National Care Service on the basis that such a body is necessary to plan and support the workforce deliver additional pathways into the profession and career options within it and support national implementation and improved consistency. We asked the Member to take a picture at the stand showing support for social work and for Scottish Association of Social Work which was shared on our social media.
Topic label: None